Polymers Nano Materials

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWP) is an extremely high viscosity polymer that is produced in the form of a powder. UHMWP has outstanding abrasion resistance, chemical resistance and good frictional properties. Due to these outstanding properties UHMWP include bulk material handling, food and beverage machinery; chemical, mining and mineral processing equipment, recreational equipment, transportation and orthopedic implants.

UHMWP is a subset of the thermoplastics polyethylene and also known as HMPE i.e. High modulus polyethylene. This class of linear polyethylene is appropriately termed “ultra high” because its average molecular weight is 10-100 times greater than standard grades of HDPE (high density polyethylene). Commercially UHMWP is available with molecular weight of 3-6 million g/mole. UHMWP is the modified form of HDPE (high density polyethylene) which include special characteristics like highest abrasion resistance of any polymer, good chemical resistance, outstanding impact strength etc. UHMWP is very cost efficient and have enhanced performance than HDPE.

The radiopaque ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMWP) medical fiber is the only medical fiber in the world which is designed development of medical devices for use in orthopedic trauma. The fiber contains a radiopaque agent which helps surgeons to enable implant visualization during and after surgical interventions. Initial applications for radiopaque fiber include replacing metal in the design of surgical cables to treat bone fractures. As the UHMWP fiber is biocompatible and chemically inert in nature, so the UHMWP radiopaque fiber improves the design of devices in orthopedic trauma which indeed reduce tissue inflammation and irritation.

UHMWPE liners can serve well as bearing surfaces for joint replacements. In particular, if the sterilization and packaging processes are carried out correctly, the material has tribological and mechanical properties that can ensure long in vivo service as an articulation, greatly reduced wear, and particle biocompatibility, all without causing catastrophic ruptures and tissue reactions.

As we know the impact strength and chemical resistance is excellent and the material does not break in impact strength tests using standard notched specimens. UHMWP has a crystalline melting point of 267°F (131°C), due to these properties of UHMWP; it is widely used in industries for hundreds of applications in mining, construction, chemical plants, waste water treatment plants etc. These industrial plants have the need for impact toughness, corrosion resistance, and biological inertness. UHMWP is used as scrapers, bushings, gears, conveyor rollers and more.