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X3 Bearing Technology

Strength Matters

X3 Polyethylene is an advancement in knee and hip bearing technology.

  • Helps to Maintain Structural Fatigue Strength1,2
  • Designed to provide Greater Wear Reduction than first generation highly crosslinked polyethylene3
  • Designed to have Oxidation Resistance 4,5

Remelting following irradiation of polyethylene significantly alters the crystallinity and crystalline morphology, with up to a 35 percent drop in ultimate tensile strength and 15 percent drop in yield stress.6

In contrast, annealing following irradiation has been shown to maintain those morphologies leading to preserved structural strength1,2

Clinical relevance is demonstrated in designs that are available on the market today.

Stryker Corporation or its divisions or other corporate affiliated entities own, use or have applied for the following trademark(s) or service mark(s): X3 Advanced Bearing Technology. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners or holders.
References

1. Wang, A,Manley, M, Serekian, P, “Wear and Structural Fatigue Simulation of Crosslinked Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Hip and Knee Bearing Applications,” Crosslinked and Thermally Treated Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene for Joint Replacements, ASTM STP1445, S.M. Kurtz, R. Gsell, and J.Martell, Eds., ASTM International, West Conshohecken, PA, 2003, pp. 151-168.

2. Essner, A, et.al., “Acetabular Liner Function Fatigue Performance of Crosslinked UHMWPE,” 51st Annual ORS paper No. 0245,Washington, DC, 2005.

3. Stryker Orthopaedics Test Report: RD-03-082.

4. X3 UHMWPE maintains mechanical properties after accelerated aging. No statistical difference was found for Tensile Yield , Ultimate Tensile Strength and Elongation as measured per ASTM D638 before and after exposure to ASTM F2003 accelerated (5 Atmospheres (ATM) of oxygen at 70°C for 14 days). Tensile Yield Strength was 23.5 ± 0.3 MPa and 23.6 ± 0.2 MPa, Ultimate Strength was 56.7 ± 2.1 MPa and 56.3 ± 2.3 MPa and Elongation was 267 ± 7 percent and 266 ± 9 percent before and after oxidative aging, respectively.

5. X3 UHMWPE resists the effects of oxidation. No statistical was found for Tensile Yield Strength, Ultimate Tensile, Elongation, Crystallinity and Density as measured per D638, D3417 and D1505 before and after ASTM F2003 accelerated aging (5 ATM of oxygen at 70°C for 14 days). Tensile Strength was 23.5 ± 0.3 MPa and 23.6 ± 0.2 MPa, Ultimate Strength was 56.7 ± 2.1 MPa and 56.3 ± 2.3 MPa, Elongation was 267 ± 7 percent and 266 ± 9 percent, Crystalllinity was 61.7 ± 0.6 percent and 61.0 ± 0.5 percent and Density was 939.2 ± 0.1 kg/m3 before and after accelerated oxidative aging, respectively.

6. X3 UHMWPE maintains mechanical properties for Tensile Yield Strength and Ultimate Tensile Strength of N2Vac gamma sterilized as measured by ASTM D638. Tensile Yield Strength was 23.2 ± 0.4 MPa and 23.5 ± 0.3 MPa for N2/Vac UHMWPE and X3 UHMWPE, respectively. Ultimate Tensile Strength was 54.8 ± 2.5 Mpa 56.7 ± 2.1 MPa for N2Vac UHMWPE and X3 UHMWPE, respectively.