Ultra-high Molecular Weight Polyethylene Particles Research Articles

Microchamber device for studying phagocytosis of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene particles by human monocyte-derived macrophages

It is well established in the literature that polyethylene wear particles are involved in loosening of joint prostheses. To investigate the phagocytosis of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene particles by human monocyte-derived macrophages and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, a microchamber was fabricated with a height of 200 μm and diameter of 15 mm. The chamber had inlet and outlet ports for continuous administration of culture medium with polyethylene particles. These configurations enabled the polyethylene particles to pass near the macrophages and enabled quantitative and time-dependent assessments. Administration of culture medium with no polyethylene particles was used as a negative control, for which the secretion of TNF-α was not detected. With increasing administration of the polyethylene particles, the secretion of TNF-α gradually increased. With increasing administration of the lipopolysaccharide as a positive control, the secretion of TNF-α increased, reached a peak, and then gradually decreased. Furthermore, TNF-α secretion was influenced by polyethylene particle size. Particles with mean diameters of 0.77 and 1.10 μm brought about greater TNF-α production than those with a mean diameter of 1.99 μm. These results suggest that the microchamber device could be used to elucidate the differences in TNF-α secretion resulting from various sizes of wear particles.

Increased UHMWPE Particle-Induced Osteolysis in Fetuin-A-Deficient Mice.

Particle-induced osteolysis is a major cause of aseptic prosthetic loosening. Implant wear particles stimulate tissue macrophages inducing an aseptic inflammatory reaction, which ultimately results in bone loss. Fetuin-A is a key regulator of calcified matrix metabolism and an acute phase protein. We studied the influence of fetuin-A on particle-induced osteolysis in an established mouse model using fetuin-A-deficient mice. Ten fetuin-A-deficient (Ahsg−/−) mice and ten wild-type animals (Ahsg+/+) were assigned to test group receiving ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particle implantation or to control group (sham surgery). After 14 days, bone metabolism parameters RANKL, osteoprotegerin (OPG), osteocalcin (OC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium, phosphate, and desoxypyridinoline (DPD) were examined. Bone volume was determined by microcomputed tomography (μCT); osteolytic regions and osteoclasts were histomorphometrically analyzed. After particle treatment, bone resorption was significantly increased in Ahsg−/− mice compared with corresponding Ahsg+/+ wild-type mice (p = 0.007). Eroded surface areas in Ahsg−/− mice were significantly increased (p = 0.002) compared with Ahsg+/+ mice, as well as the number of osteoclasts compared with control (p = 0.039). Fetuin-A deficiency revealed increased OPG (p = 0.002), and decreased levels of DPD (p = 0.038), OC (p = 0.036), ALP (p < 0.001), and Ca (p = 0.001) compared with wild-type animals. Under osteolytic conditions in Ahsg−/− mice, OPG was increased (p = 0.013), ALP (p = 0.015) and DPD (p = 0.012) were decreased compared with the Ahsg+/+ group. Osteolytic conditions lead to greater bone loss in fetuin-A-deficient mice compared with wild-type mice. Reduced fetuin-A serum levels may be a risk factor for particle-induced osteolysis while the protective effect of fetuin-A might be a future pathway for prophylaxis and treatment.

The influence of UHMWPE with varying morphologies on the non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of HDPE

The current study aims to examine how the morphology of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles impacts the kinetics of non-isothermal crystallization in high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

Desferrioxamine alleviates UHMWPE particle-induced osteoclastic osteolysis by inhibiting caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis in osteocytes.

Cell death and inflammation are the two important triggers of wear particle-induced osteolysis. Particles, including cobalt-chromium-molybdenum and tricalcium phosphate, have been reported to induce pyroptosis in macrophages and osteocytes. Although macrophage pyroptosis facilitates osteoclastic bone resorption and osteolysis, whether osteocyte pyroptosis is involved in osteoclastic osteolysis still needs further investigation. Desferrioxamine (DFO), an FDA-approved medication and a powerful iron chelator, has been proven to reduce ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particle-induced osteolysis. However, whether DFO can ameliorate UHMWPE particle-induced osteolysis by decreasing pyroptosis in osteocytes is unknown. A mouse calvarial osteolysis model and the mouse osteocyte cell line MLO-Y4 was used, and we found that pyroptosis in osteocytes was significantly induced by UHMWPE particles. Furthermore, our findings uncovered a role of caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis in osteocytes in facilitating osteoclastic osteolysis induced by UHMWPE particles. In addition, we found that DFO could alleviate UHMWPE particle-induced pyroptosis in osteocytes in vivo and in vitro. We uncovered a role of caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis in osteocytes in facilitating osteoclastic osteolysis induced by UHMWPE particles. Furthermore, we found that DFO alleviated UHMWPE particle-induced osteoclastic osteolysis partly by inhibiting pyroptosis in osteocytes. Schematic of DFO reducing UHMWPE particle-induced osteolysis by inhibiting osteocytic pyroptosis. Wear particles, such as polymers, generated from prosthetic implant materials activate canonical inflammasomes and promote the cleavage and activation of caspase-1. This is followed by caspase-1-dependent IL-β maturation and GSDMD cleavage. The N-terminal fragment of GSDMD binds to phospholipids on the cell membrane and forms holes in the membrane, resulting in the release of mature IL-β and inflammatory intracellular contents. This further facilitates osteoclastic differentiation of BMMs, resulting in excessive bone resorption and ultimately leading to prosthetic osteolysis. DFO reduces UHMWPE particle-induced osteolysis by inhibiting osteocytic pyroptosis.

The impact of technological parameters of the torch to physical and chemical properties of a gas-thermal burner for spraying ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene

The values of the heat flux density, transverse and longitudinal temperature gradients of the gas-thermal burner torch, the type of reaction during the combustion in various modes (reducing, neutral, oxidizing) depending on the mass fractions of the fuel and oxidizer burning have been determined in this paper. The significant role of the torch temperature as one of the most important parameters determining the quality of polymer coatings obtained by the gas-thermal method has been established. A spatial model of a gas-thermal burner has been designed, which allows to obtain thermal modes at specified technological parameters. A physical model of the interactions “torch-polymer particle”, “thermal jet – base” has been developed. The necessary density of the torch heat flux for the complete melting of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles not exceeding the temperature threshold of destruction has been determined. The required rate of introduction the UHMWPE powders into the burner flame has been also determined. Based on the calculations of the “torch-polymer particle interaction”, the optimal geometry of the torch, the particles trajectory in the torch and the spraying distances have been determined.

Soft pneumatic actuator from particle reinforced silicone rubber: Simulation and experiments

AbstractSoft actuators are important parts of soft robotics. Particle reinforcement can effectively improve their durability, reliability and life span. However, there is a lack of such actuators. Herein, we report experiments and simulation on soft pneumatic actuators from silicone rubber embedding ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles. The experimental results indicate that the UHMWPE particles are uniformly distributed in silicone rubber matrix, leading to improved puncture resistance and hardness. Meanwhile, the obtained soft actuators show controllable bending angle and contact force via tuning the input air pressure. The simulation results by finite element method agree well with that from experiments in most cases, proving its applicability in the design and prediction of soft actuators composed from particle embedding rubbers. This work gives a good example to the research on soft actuators from particle embedding rubber composites, including the multifunctional actuators with conductive or magnetic particles.

Fabrication and Characterization of UHMWPE–Ni Composites for Enhanced Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

Nickel-plated ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) samples were prepared by an electroless coating method followed by hot pressing. The concentration of Ni in the composites was varied between 3.98 and 10.88 in volume percentage. XRD results revealed that Ni coating was successfully realized on the surface of UHWMPE particles confirmed by SEM–EDS. Ni thickness on the UHMWPE particles has thickness of 2 μm and there was also self-precipitated Ni plates as well as additive Ni particles according to SEM. Hardness values of Ni-coated UHMWPE–Ni composites increased 30% with increasing Ni content. The EMI-SE of the composite increased from 49 up to 70 dB by increasing Ni content for both X and Ku-band with respect to Ni concentration. Our samples, performed very high shielding within X band and also Ku band compared to most of other reports in the open literature, can be suitable for high-performance requirements especially in aerospace applications.

Blockade of XCL1/Lymphotactin Ameliorates Severity of Periprosthetic Osteolysis Triggered by Polyethylene-Particles

Periprosthetic osteolysis induced by orthopedic implant-wear particles continues to be the leading cause of arthroplasty failure in majority of patients. Release of the wear debris results in a chronic local inflammatory response typified by the recruitment of immune cells, including macrophages. The cellular mediators derived from activated macrophages favor the osteoclast-bone resorbing activity resulting in bone loss at the site of implant and loosening of the prosthetic components. Emerging evidence suggests that chemokines and their receptors are involved in the progression of periprosthetic osteolysis associated with aseptic implant loosening. In the current study, we investigated the potential role of chemokine C-motif-ligand-1 (XCL1) in the pathogenesis of inflammatory osteolysis induced by wear particles. Expressions of XCL1 and its receptor XCR1 were evident in synovial fluids and tissues surrounding hip-implants of patients undergoing revision total hip arthroplasty. Furthermore, murine calvarial osteolysis model induced by ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles was used to study the role of XCL1 in the development of inflammatory osteolysis. Mice received single injection of recombinant XCL1 onto the calvariae after implantation of particles exhibited significantly greater osteolytic lesions than the control mice. In contrast, blockade of XCL1 by neutralizing antibody significantly reduced bone erosion and the number of bone-resorbing mature osteoclasts induced by UHMWPE particles. In consistence with the results, transplantation of XCL1-soaked sponge onto calvariae caused osteolytic lesions coincident with excessive infiltration of inflammatory cells and osteoclasts. These results suggested that XCL1 might be involved in the development of periprosthetic osteolysis through promoting infiltration of inflammatory cells and bone resorbing-osteoclasts. Our further results demonstrated that supplementing recombinant XCL1 to cultured human monocytes stimulated with the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) promoted osteoclastogenesis and the osteoclast-bone resorbing activity. Moreover, recombinant XCL1 promoted the expression of inflammatory and osteoclastogenic factors, including IL-6, IL-8, and RANKL in human differentiated osteoblasts. Together, these results suggested the potential role of XCL1 in the pathogenesis of periprosthetic osteolysis and aseptic loosening. Our data broaden knowledge of the pathogenesis of aseptic prosthesis loosening and highlight a novel molecular target for therapeutic intervention.

Particle morphology, structure and properties of nascent ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.

The effects of particle morphology on the structure and swelling/dissolution and rheological properties of nascent ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in liquid paraffin (LP) were elaborately explored in this article. Nascent UHMWPE with different particle morphologies was prepared via pre-polymerization technique and direct polymerization. The melting temperature and crystallinity of UHMWPE resins with different particle morphologies were compared, and a schematic diagram was proposed to illustrate the mechanism of UHMWPE particle growth synthesized by pre-polymerization method and direct polymerization. The polymer globules in the nascent UHMWPE prepared by using pre-polymerization technique are densely packed and a positive correlation between the particle size and the viscosity-averaged molecular weight can be observed. The split phenomenon of particles and the fluctuation in the viscosity of UHMWPE/LP system prepared by direct polymerization can be observed at a low heating rate and there is no correlation between particle size and viscosity-averaged molecular weight.

Mechanical and Tribological Studies of SU-8 Composites Filled With UHMWPE and Gum Acacia Under Dry and Bovine Serum Albumin Lubricated Conditions

Abstract SU-8 polymer was mixed with ultrahigh-molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles in various weight percentages (wt%) to make composites. Uniform distribution of filler material was confirmed by optical microscopy imaging. Cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed the formation of fibrillar structure of UHMWPE which helped bind UHMWPE particles with SU-8 matrix. Gum acacia made a coating on the UHMWPE particles and helped in binding with the matrix. The compressive Young’s modulus and strength of the composites were found to decrease with UHMWPE filler addition. The composites were tested in ball-on-disk tribometer using 12 mm diameter stainless steel (grade 304) ball under a normal load of 20 N and sliding speed of 32 mm/s. SU-8 with 25 wt% of UHMWPE showed coefficient of friction of 0.1 and specific wear-rate of 6.27 × 10−5 mm3/Nm which were 52% and 61%, respectively, lower in comparison with those of bulk UHMWPE tested in aqueous solution of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Adding 10 wt% of gum acacia to the SU-8/UHMWPE composite had beneficial effects on the wear-rate as the specific wear-rate of this hybrid composite further dropped to 4.6 × 10−5 mm3/Nm which was 71% lower than that of bulk UHMWPE.

Microfluidic Device used for the Secretion of Inflammatory Cytokines from Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages Stimulated by Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Particles

The cause of osteolysis and aseptic loosening in a hard-on-polymer artificial joint is attributed to the discharge of micron- or submicron-sized fine polyethylene wear particles. The latter stimulate ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; FBS: fetal bovine serum; HMDM: Human monocyte-derived macrophage; IL: Interleukin; MEMS: microelectromechanical system; PDMS: polydimethylsiloxane; TNF: Tumour necrosis factor; UHMWPE: ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; UV: ultraviolet macrophage activity and promote the secretion of cytokines. In general assay procedures, the macrophages with the polyethylene particles are cultured in well plates, and the culture supernatants are used for the measurement of cytokines based on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. For reproducing the periprosthetic environment in in vitro experiments, a culture environment capable of reducing the physical distance between the macrophage and polyethylene particle by means of a microfluidic device comprising a narrow 200 × 500 μm flow channel is proposed and verified by performing a sequence of reliability verification tests. The culture media with macrophages were prepared and injected into the microfluidic device (5.0 × 104 cells/device). The macrophages in the microfluidic device were cultured for 48 h in an incubator at 37 °C. After the incubation, the culture medium mixed with the polyethylene particles was injected into the microfluidic device at the rate of 0.25 ml/h for 4 h (5.0 × 104 particles/device, total volume of 1 ml). The culture medium was collected, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to investigate the production of cytokines. Despite the smaller volume of the culture media mixed with polyethylene particles than those used in conventional well plates, the secretions of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) -α and interleukin (IL)-6 were still confirmed. These were correlated with the polyethylene particles of sizes <1.0 μm. The microfluidic device structure and cultivation conditions should be improved for quantitative analysis of the secretion of inflammatory cytokines from macrophages stimulated by polyethylene particles; however, it was confirmed that the microfluidic device was able to provide the culture environment for the secretion of inflammatory cytokines.

Assessing the Influence of the Sourcing Voltage on Polyaniline Composites for Stress Sensing Applications

Polyaniline (PANI) has recently gained great attention due to its outstanding electrical properties and ease of processability; these characteristics make it ideal for the manufacturing of polymer blends. In this study, the processing and piezoresistive characterization of polymer composites resulting from the blend of PANI with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in different weight percentages (wt %) is reported. The PANI/UHMWPE composites were uniformly homogenized by mechanical mixing and the pellets were manufactured by compression molding. A total of four pellets were manufactured, with PANI percentages of 20, 25, 30 and 35 wt %. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to confirm the effective distribution of PANI and UHMWPE particles in the pellets. A piezoresistive characterization was performed on the basis of compressive forces at different voltages; it was found that the error metrics of hysteresis and drift were influenced by the operating voltage. In general, larger voltages lowered the error metrics, but a reduction in sensor sensitivity came along with voltage increments. In an attempt to explain such a phenomenon, the authors developed a microscopic model for the piezoresistive response of PANI composites, aiming towards a broader usage of PANI composites in strain/stress sensing applications as an alternative to carbonaceous materials.

Peening Effect of Glass Beads in the Cold Spray Deposition of Polymeric Powders

Cold spray is a green additive manufacturing method that accelerates micron-size particles to supersonic speeds. At these high speeds, the particles deposit upon impact with a desired surface. High-density polyethylene, polyurethane, polyamide-12, polystyrene, and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene particles were cold-sprayed onto a low-density polyethylene substrate under different process conditions. Glass beads with diameters between 20 and 120 µm were added to each batch to study the effect of non-adhesive peening particles on the deposition efficiency and the quality of the final deposited layer of a series different polymeric powders. The successful deposition window was compared for the cold spray process with and without the addition of glass beads. Adding the glass beads to the polymer powders was found to widen the successful windows of deposition to both higher and lower impact velocities at a given temperature for all the polymer powder studied. In addition, adding peening particles were found to make deposition possible at lower particle temperatures where deposition had not been successful previously. This was especially important for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene particles for which deposition in the absence of peening particles was not possible below 60 °C, but with peening particles was successful even at room temperature. Peening particles were found to increase deposition efficiency by as much as 50% for a given set of deposition conditions. The appropriate size of the added glass beads to maximize the deposition efficiency was found to be comparable to the size of the depositing particles. The addition of glass beads was also found to reduce the surface roughness of the deposited layer by more than 50%. Finally, for processing conditions with particle velocities below a Mach number of one, no glass beads were found to adhere to the resulting cold-sprayed substrates.

Facile method to fabricate highly thermally conductive UHMWPE/BN composites with the segregated structure for thermal management

ABSTRACTOwing to the thermal management of polymer-based thermal conductive composites provide great performance in various applications, widespread attention has been focused on the design and fabrication of thermally conductive materials. In the work, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) / boron nitride (BN) composites with segregated structures were fabricated by a facile heat-treatment powder mixing method. SEM and optical images revealed that BN flakes can be tightly overlapped on the surface of UHMWPE particles by heat-treatment in the mixing process and the thermally conductive network was more continuous and homogeneous, leading to the greatly improved thermal conductivity. Laser flash thermal analyzer (LFA) demonstrated that an optimised in-plane thermal conductivity of UHMWPE/BN composites fabricated by the heat-treatment powder mixing method can reach to 9.99 W m−1 K−1 by adjusting the BN loading to 21.6 vol %. In summary, the UHMWPE/BN composite with high thermal conductivity provides excellent heat dissipation ability in the in-plane direction, which is very important for thermally conductive materials.

An investigation of post treatment on properties and structure of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene parts prepared by selective laser sintering for biomedical application

Combined with customization advantage of selective laser sintering (SLS) and excellent performance of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), it is possible to meet the requirements of artificial joints for biomedical application. However, high viscosity of UHMWPE melt limits the strength of UHMWPE sintered parts. Inspired from metal and ceramic materials, this work aims to improve the performance of UHMWPE parts prepared by SLS using post treatment methods, including heat treatment and hot isostatic pressure (HIP) treatment. Consequently, HIP treatment shows superiority on promoting the performance of UHMWPE sintered parts compared with heat treatment. With the condition of temperature and isostatic pressure, a novel definition of “bonding neck” is given to explain the enhancement of cohesion between each UHMWPE particle in different post treatment. Without any fortifier, the biological safety of artificial joints manufactured by SLS is further guaranteed. Under the isostatic pressure of 12 MPa and temperature of 185°C in HIP treatment, the mechanical strength, tribological performance and other properties are improved dramatically. The tensile strength of the specimen is up to 8.0 MPa, the elongation at break is 99.3%, the impact strength is 8.8 MPa, the friction coefficient is 0.11, the wear rate is 9.3 × 10−4 mm3/Nm and samples do not show cytotoxicity at the same time.

Aluminum-polyethylene composite coatings with self-sealing induced anti-corrosion performances

Abstract Aluminum (Al) based coatings fabricated using arc spraying are usually employed as anti-corrosion coatings in the marine environment, coupled with post-treated sealing on their surfaces. In this investigation, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles were added in Al coatings using cored wire arc spraying, in which UHMWPE were employed as sealants, instead of post-sealing treatment. The microstructures of in-flight particles and singly deposited particles were characterized to reveal microstructure evolution mechanisms of cored wires. The microstructures of composite coatings were also analyzed to discuss the self-sealing mechanism of UHMWPE particles. Neutral salt spraying and electrochemical analysis were employed to reveal corrosion thermodynamics and kinetics of composite coatings. The results show that UHMWPE particles presented two structures in composite coatings. The melted UHMWPE thin films sited at the interfaces of Al particles, played as sealants, contributing to the increase of corrosion resistance. Incompletely melted UHMWPE particles also existed in composite coatings, due to the protective effect of Al-UHMWPE core-shell structures formed in spraying. The strategy fabricating Al-UHMWPE composite coatings gives bright insight into a new route to develop marine self-sealing induced anti-corrosion coatings.

Synthesis and study of perspective composite material based on mechanochemically synthesized magnesium ferrite and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene

This work is devoted to the study of the newly mechanochemically synthesized composite consisted of industrially available ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and Mg-ferrite particles for the design of components of functional electro-magnetic shielding materials needed in life support technologies. The produced material was characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, Mossbauer spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Mechanical activation leads to increased dispersion of ferrite component and transformation of UHMWPE submolecular structure without explicit interaction with ferrite particles surface.

Structure and magnetic properties of mechanochemically synthesized UHMWPE/ferrite composites as precursors for electromagnetic shielding materials

In this paper, a study of composite materials based on ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and magnesium ferrite particles — precursors for electromagnetic shielding materials was carried out. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Mossbauer and FTIR spectroscopy have been applied to study the influence of structural, morphological and magnetic state of ferrite particles on the composite polymer materials formed by the method of mechanochemical activation in mixtures of ferrites with UHMWPE. It was revealed that synthesis method type showed a significant effect on the size, morphology, crystal structure (inversion parameter) and magnetic properties of ferrite particles. All of these studied parameters determine their functional properties as an independent material, and their properties in the composition of the functional polymer composite material.

Electron irradiation resistance of the composite material structure based on ultra-high molecular polyethylene and boron carbide

Effect of electron irradiation on the structural state of a composite material based on ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and boron carbide particles (B4C) which is a precursor for functional radiation protection materials has been investigated. Composite powder materials were synthesized from industrially available components by the method of mechanochemical activation under conditions of intense shock-shear deformations. Specimens in the form of 2 mm thick composite powder’s pressed plates were irradiated with 2 MeV electrons in air. Studies of changes in the structural and morphological characteristics of the composite samples were carried out by means of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Effects of electron irradiation on the structure of the composite as a whole and its components were analysed. The analysis of the obtained data showed the resistance of the composite material with respect to the electron irradiation fluence up to 8·1014 cm–2.

Characterisation of UHMWPE Polymer Powder for Laser Sintering

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a thermoplastic semicrystalline polymer that has outstanding mechanical properties, low friction coefficient, excellent wear resistance, and is highly resistant to corrosive chemicals. UHMWPE is found in many applications including artificial joints and filtration. However, UHMWPE parts cannot be produced easily by traditional techniques, such as injection moulding and extrusion because of its very high melt viscosity owing to the extremely long polymer chains. Few attempts were made to process UHMWPE by additive manufacturing, particularly laser sintering. This is due to the lack of understanding of the powder properties of UHMWPE. Therefore, the aim of the powder characterisation process in this study is to gain a better understanding of the material requirements and provide a detailed insight on whether UHMWPE is a suitable material for laser sintering. The characterisation process includes powder morphological and flow characteristics, thermal behaviour and stability, and crystallinity of UHMWPE. The study reveals that the sintering behaviour of polymers is controlled by the morphology of the particles in addition to the viscous flow of UHMWPE. There are still difficulties of processing UHMWPE due to highly agglomerated structure of smaller particles with the presence of fibrils in the UHMWPE particles.