Abstract
For more than 30 years, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been used as a bearing material in total-joint-replacement prostheses. Such orthopaedic implants usually comprise a metal (typically a cobalt-chromium alloy) or ceramic component that articulates against a UHMWPE component in vivo use. It has been well established that the longevity of such implants depends on the wear performance of the UHMWPE components [1, 2]. The presence of particulate wear debris of UHMWPE that is generated due to the sliding of UHMWPE components against the metal or ceramic counter-face has been linked to complications such as tissue inflammation, bone loss (or osteolysis), and implant loosening. Osteolysis resulting from wear of UHMWPE is recognized as the leading problem in orthopaedic surgery today. Because de wear volume influence the mechanical performances of a prosthetic device in this paper is studied the variation of the wear volume depending on the number of cycle motion and the time. Keywords: polyethylene, prosthesis, cross-linked, wear