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US 2011/0084427 A1Published application
Sintering ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene
AssigneeSmith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG
InventorsPaul Smith, Jeroen Visjager, Theo Tervoort
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Abstract
Methods of making ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UMWPE) having increased strength and/or wear resistance, such as high yield strength, high tensile strength, high load strength, and/or high impact strength. Some embodiments include making UHMWPE having increased strength and/or wear resistance, such as that listed above, where the UHMWPE has co-monomers.
Claims19
1-41. (canceled)
A method for preparing a UHMWPE comprising:
- heating UHMWPE to a temperature below its crystalline melting temperature;
- compacting the UHMWPE at a temperature below its crystalline melting temperature;
- heating the compacted UHMWPE while compacted to a temperature above its crystalline melting temperature;
- and
- cooling the UHMWPE to a temperature below its crystalline melting temperature.
2 more elements
A method for preparing a UHMWPE copolymer having a co-monomer content of up to about 5 wt % comprising:
- heating UHMWPE copolymer to a temperature below its crystalline melting temperature;
- compacting the UHMWPE copolymer at a temperature below its crystalline melting temperature;
- heating the compacted UHMWPE copolymer while compacted to a temperature above its crystalline melting temperature;
- and
- cooling the UHMWPE copolymer to a temperature below its crystalline melting temperature.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.