Study of Physicochemical and Biological Properties of <scp>UHMWPE</scp> Joint Implant With Ti, Ta, and Zr Thin Films

ABSTRACT This study aimed to improve the surface of polymer implants by examining the physicochemical and biological properties of UHMWPE coated with titanium, tantalum, and zirconium thin films. The coatings exhibited enhancements in wettability alongside diminished roughness. The Zr film exhibited a contact angle of 16°, a significant improvement compared to the UHMWPE sample, which has an angle of 102°. Moreover, the roughness of the pristine sample (0.958 μm) was substantially reduced to 0.403 μm with the Ta film. These characteristics prevented the adhesion of fibroblasts, minimizing the risk of fibrous encapsulation surrounding the implant [2]. Micro‐abrasion tests demonstrated that the coatings reduced the wear coefficient, making them ideal for increasing the longevity of the implant in the human body. Transitioning from a wear coefficient of 0.47 × 10–12 m 2 /N for UHMWPE, values as low as 0.21 × 10–12 m 2 /N were attained, particularly in the sample with the Ti film. Therefore, the coatings exhibit favorable characteristics for the intended biomedical application.