Methods for making oxidation-resistant cross-linked polymeric materials

A method of making a medical implant preform comprising an oxidation-resistant cross-linked polymeric material, wherein the method comprising the steps of:

• a) blending a polymeric material with an antioxidant, wherein a first portion of the polymeric material is contacted with a concentration of an antioxidant, a second portion of the polymeric material is contacted with another concentration of the antioxidant, and a third portion of the polymeric material is contacted with another concentration of the antioxidant;
• b) consolidating the antioxidant blended polymeric material by layering the third portion of the polymeric material, the second portion of the polymeric material, and the first portion of the polymeric material, thereby forming a medical implant preform;
• and
• c) irradiating the medical implant preform containing the antioxidant blended polymeric material with ionizing radiation, thereby forming a medical implant preform having an oxidation-resistant cross-linked polymeric material.

A method of making an interlocked hybrid material comprising an oxidation-resistant cross-linked polymeric material, wherein the method comprising the steps of:

• a) blending a polymeric material with an antioxidant, wherein a first portion of the polymeric material is contacted with a concentration of an antioxidant, a second portion of the polymeric material is contacted with another concentration of the antioxidant, and a third portion of the polymeric material is contacted with another concentration of the antioxidant;
• b) compression molding the antioxidant blended polymeric material to another piece or a medical implant by layering the third portion of the polymeric material, the second portion of the polymeric material, and the first portion of the polymeric material, thereby forming an interface and an interlocked hybrid material;
• and
• c) irradiating the interlocked hybrid material containing the antioxidant with ionizing radiation, thereby forming an interlocked hybrid material having an oxidation-resistant cross-linked polymeric material.