Mechanical characteristics of the carbonized layer on the surface of polyethylene treated by the ion-plasma method

Abstract

Polymer materials, in particular polyethylene, are actively used as a material for implants. Ion-plasma treatment improves the biocompatibility of polymers. This effect is achieved due to the formation of a carbonized layer on the polymer surface after ion-plasma treatment. This article examines the mechanical properties of the carbonized layer. In experiments on uniaxial tension, the dependence of the elastic modulus of the carbonized layer on the fluence of ion-plasma treatment was obtained. The dependence of the deformation corresponding to the destruction of the carbonized layer on the fluence of ion-plasma treatment was also determined. It was found that at high fluence values, the carbonized layer acquires properties corresponding to brittle materials, and at low ion doses, the properties of the polymer substrate material manifest themselves.