MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF UHMWPE-CARBON NANO TUBE COMPOSITE FOR TOTAL HIP PROSTHESES

Total Hip Replacement is the most common artificial joint in human beings. A typical total hip replacement consists of cup type acetabular component, and a femoral component whose head is designed to fit into the acetabular cup, thus enabling joint articulations. Conventionally it was metal to metal pairs for artificial hip joints mainly AISI316 material was used. Later on high density poly ethylene and ultra-high molecular weight poly ethylene are used for socket material. In the present study Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) blended with high strength multi-walled carbon nano tubes with varying weight fraction of reinforcement is analyzed for mechanical properties. Composite sheets were prepared and are subjected to Tensile, Compression and Wear test to evaluate the mechanical properties of the composite. The main objective of this study is to compare the mechanical properties of conventional pure UHMWPE material with Carbon nano tube reinforced polymer composite. It is observed that the Young's Modulus in tensile test is increased by 27%, in compression test it is increased by 50% and the wear loss is reduced by 30% with an addition of 5% Carbon Nano tube to pure UHMWPE. It is concluded that addition of Carbon Nano tubes to pure UHMWPE will enhance the mechanical properties of the biomaterial composite.