Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a material widely used as bearing material in joint prostheses whose durability depends on its chemical and mechanical properties. One of the main steps in the production of UHMWPE parts for prostheses is an irradiation-induced cross-linking that considerably improves wear resistance, but at the same time lowers drastically the chemical stability, tensile strength, and toughness of UHMWPE.Texturing like e.g. the formation of a stretched molecular network, could be an alternative treatmentto cross-linking, since it can increase strength and toughness of a polymer without altering itschemical properties. However, little information is yet available about the effect of chain orientationon the sliding and wear behaviour of textured UHMWPE. In this PhD thesis, the effect of the chainorientation state on the sliding and wear behaviour of UHMWPE is investigated as well as the underlying mechanisms.
