Response to fatigue stress of biomedical grade polyethylene joints welded by a diode laser. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Visco, Annamaria; Scolaro, Cristina; Quattrocchi, Antonino; Montanini, Roberto
• Is Part Of: Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials. Volume 86(2018)
• Page Start: 390
• Page End: 396
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: UHMWPE -- Polymeric joints -- Laser welding -- Lap shear test -- Fatigue limit; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials -- Mechanical properties -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials; Biomedical materials -- Mechanical properties; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2018.07.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-6161

Abstract

Abstract: Biomedical grade UHMWPE double lap joint, welded by a diode laser, has been mechanically characterized by static and dynamic tests. A nanocomposite sheet (UHMWPE filled with low carbon nanoparticles amount) was interposed between two polymeric sheets in order to absorb the laser light, sealing the sheets by means of a melting process. Fatigue test has been performed in the joint with 0.016 wt% of carbon nanofiller for its best mechanical static resistance among those studied. Its fatigue limits resulted to be equal to 22000 cycles. Breaks occurred at the 2nd welded interface, where a poor melting process weakens the entire joint. Graphical abstract: fx1 Highlights: Polymeric joints have been prepared by a double laser beam irradiation process. The polymer melting occurs at the UHMWPE/carbon filled nanocomposite interface. Mechanical static tensile test revealed the best amount of absorbing nanofiller. Fatigue limits of the investigated joint was of 22.000 cycles. Thermal analysis was helpful for the qualitative evaluation of stressed area.