Crosslinked polymeric material with enhanced strength and process for manufacturing

A method of making a bearing component of a medical implant suitable for use as an artificial joint, the method comprising:

• preheating a crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) polymer to a temperature above 80° C. and below its melting point, wherein the crosslinked polymer is in a bulk form elongated in an axial direction compared to an orthogonal direction;
• deforming the preheated crosslinked polymer at a temperature above 80° C. and below its melting point by solid state extrusion at a draw ratio less than 3;
• cooling the crosslinked polymer after the extrusion to a solidification temperature;
• and
• machining the bearing component from the extruded crosslinked polymer, wherein the load bearing axis of the bearing component corresponds to the axial direction of the crosslinked polymer.