Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a versatile polymer employed in many fields for its good chemical-physics characteristics. In particular, it is widely utilized in biomedical fields due to its high degree of biocompatibility and its easy control on wettability of the surface. In this work, the laser radiation has been utilized to effect different degrees of change to the wettability characteristics of the UHMWPE depending on the laser used. The wettability modification was investigated by measuring the contact angles using the sessile drop method. It was observed that the interaction with laser wavelengths at 1064 and 532 nm effected very little change in the wettability characteristics of UHMWPE. On the contrary, the interaction of UHMWPE with 248 and 308 nm laser wavelengths resulted in a marked improvement in the wettability characteristics of the polymer; in particular, the UHMWPE irradiated by 308 nm, after 10 laser shots, reported a linearly increasing of the polymer wettability.
Comparison of the laser effects induced on ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene
LORUSSO, ANTONELLA;NASSISI, Vincenzo;PALADINI, FABIO;
2008-01-01
Abstract
Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a versatile polymer employed in many fields for its good chemical-physics characteristics. In particular, it is widely utilized in biomedical fields due to its high degree of biocompatibility and its easy control on wettability of the surface. In this work, the laser radiation has been utilized to effect different degrees of change to the wettability characteristics of the UHMWPE depending on the laser used. The wettability modification was investigated by measuring the contact angles using the sessile drop method. It was observed that the interaction with laser wavelengths at 1064 and 532 nm effected very little change in the wettability characteristics of UHMWPE. On the contrary, the interaction of UHMWPE with 248 and 308 nm laser wavelengths resulted in a marked improvement in the wettability characteristics of the polymer; in particular, the UHMWPE irradiated by 308 nm, after 10 laser shots, reported a linearly increasing of the polymer wettability.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
