Determination of the Influence of Selected External Factors on the Physical and Structural Properties of UHMWPE

Long-term storage of polymer materials in adverse conditions initiates the aging process. That process covers all physical and chemical conversions taking place in the structure and causing changes in the parameters of the material. This paper presents the results of the authors' own research to determine changes in the physical properties of the polymer (UHMWPE) under the influence of ionizing radiation, long-term compressive loads, temperature, the effects of the use environment (human body fluids), and polymer storage time. The in vitro degradation process of UHMWPE polymer under the influence of the above-mentioned factors was evaluated. Assumptions were made to create test conditions for the samples similar to those found in the human body. Shore~D hardness tests have also been conducted, as well as differential scanning calorimetry analysis.