Wear Performance Analysis of UHMWPE for Total Knee Arthroplasty

Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a key material in orthopedic implants, particularly in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA), due to its excellent wear resistance and biocompatibility. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the wear behavior of domestically produced UHMWPE (PIN A) with commercially available products from China (PIN B) and the United States (PIN C). Wear tests were performed using a pin-on-disc tribometer under dry conditions to determine the wear volume, the wear rate, and the wear coefficient. Microstructural analysis was also conducted using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and hardness was measured with a Shore D durometer. The results showed that PIN A exhibited superior wear performance, having the lowest wear width of 1.198 mm at 4500, as well as the lowest wear volume and wear rate. Another significant observation was that the wear coefficient for PIN A was the lowest at 8.35×10-7 mm3/Nm, reflecting the best resistance to material loss under friction. PIN B showed a moderate wear coefficient of 1.19×10-6 mm³/Nm, while PIN C had the highest with 1.83×10-6 mm3/Nm, indicating the poorest wear resistance. SEM micrographs also confirmed that the microstructure of PIN A had a compact, layered, and fibrous morphology, which contributed to its superior mechanical performance. The trend shows that domestic UHMWPE can match or exceed the performance of imported materials when subjected to proper processing and supports the potential application in clinical orthopedic procedures.