Highly Cross-Linked Polyethylene in Total Hip and Knee Replacement: Spatial Distribution of Molecular Orientation and Shape Recovery Behavior
Figure 7
Schematic of the as-received XLPE microstructure consisting of anisotropic plasticity layer and isotropic random structure (a), the enlarged cross-section view of the near-surface anisotropic layers indicating the preferential tilt angles of molecular chains and the degree of crystalline anisotropy in the as-received XLPE hip and knee components (b), and the enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the near-surface anisotropic layers indicating the preferential inplane angles of molecular chains and the degree of crystalline anisotropy in the as-received XLPE knee component (c).