SiNtx Technologies Inc (SINT)

[boston745]

Oxidative free radicals seem to play a major role in liner wear and degradation, certainly more so than you believe. I dont think liner wear is simply to due with hardness value.

The so-called second-generation HXLPE is being developed. To decrease free radical oxidation and increase the mechanical properties of the polymers, different strategies are being used. The sequential annealing process maintains the mechanical properties of the PE at the same time as it theoretically reduces the production of free radicals. In vitro preliminary results report better performance by this newer HXLPE than with conventional or even first-generation HXLPE [52, 53]. The other strategy is to introduce vitamin E, the antioxidant alpha-tocopherol, into ultra-high-molecular weight PE (UHMWPE) prior to consolidation to help prevent the oxidative degradative reaction. This would avoid the deleterious effect of the melting process that decreases the mechanical properties of PE [54]. Preliminary in vitro results report good wear and improved mechanical and fatigue properties [55].