Abstract
Polyethylene is a thermoplastic of the polymer family. Its inert nature, and its mechanical properties such as good resistance to impact and abrasion, high toughness and a low coefficient of friction, make it very suitable as an implant.
Polyethylene is obtained from ethylene, containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms. After the polymerization process, forms long chains with the same repeating unit
The polyethylene used in orthopedics is a linear polymer. The chain length is important, as it will give different physical properties to the material. In linear polymers the atoms of its backbone adopt a continuous configuration.
Keywords
Prosthetic surgery; Polymers in medicine; Biomaterials
Bibliographic citation
Martínez-Cruz O, Mora-Iter X. Biomaterials: polietilè i el seu ús en cirurgia protètica. Barcelona: Agència de Qualitat i Avaluació Sanitàries de Catalunya; 2016. (Informes AQuAs).
Audience
Professionals
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