C. Scolaro

Properties of Single- and Double-Lap Polymeric Joints Welded by a Diode Laser

Single-lap and double-lap polymeric joints of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) sheets, opportunely overlapped, were realized and studied. One of the polymer sheets was doped with carbon nanomaterials as a laser-absorbent filler. The joints were irradiated by a diode laser operating at 970 nm with maximum pulse energy of 200 mJ. Four types of weld seam geometries were realized in the overlapped area. Optical microscopy observations and mechanical shear and hardness tests were performed in order to characterize all the prepared joints. The maximum shear load was ≈210 N, reached generally in the double-lap joints. High loads in the single-lap joints were reached if high surface area of the welding and high filler amount in the polymer were present. Three parameters influenced the joint resistance: the joint configuration (single or double lap), the welding geometry, and the filler amount. The absorption of diode laser energy at the sheet interface induces a melting process that softens the polymeric sheets in the laser contact area. Finally, a comparison between the welding ability of the diode laser and of the Nd:Yag laser upon the polyethylene sheets is presented.

Effect of the filler amount on the optical absorption properties and the surface features of polymeric joints based on biomedical UHMWPE welded by a Nd:YAG laser

Polymeric materials can be welded by the laser transmission welding technique in order to join two or more sheets. At the interface of the polymer sheets, the released energy induces melting that is assisted by pressure, producing a fast and resistant welding. In this research, single-lap polymeric joints of biomedical ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene sheets were realized; one of the two polymer sheets was doped, at different concentrations, with carbon nanomaterials as a laser absorbent filler. A pulsed neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser operating in the wavelength of 532 nm and of 1064 nm with an intensity of the order of 109 W/cm2 was employed to obtain a joint at the interface between the transparent polymer and the absorbent one. The mechanical shear resistance of the prepared joints was related to the optical absorption feature of the polymeric materials. Besides, surface analyses such as hardness, roughness and wettability in different inorganic and organic fluids were presented and discussed. The result of characterization analyses indicated the best filler amount in order to have a mechanically resistant joint with surface properties also suitable for the biomedical employment.

Wetting ability of biological liquids in presence of metallic nanoparticles

The wetting ability of water and of some biological liquids was measured on different biocompatible surfaces with and without different colloidal metals. Insoluble nanoparticles disperse in biological tissues enhance some properties, such as the interface adhesion between two surfaces, the X-ray contrast of medical images and the absorbed dose during radiotherapy treatments. The introduction of nanoparticles in the liquids generally improves the wetting ability and changes other properties of the solution, due to the different distribution of the adhesion forces, to the nature, morphology and concentration of the added nanoparticles. An investigation on the contact angle of the liquid drops, physiological liquids, including the human blood, placed on different substrates (polymers, ceramics and metals) with and without the use of metallic nanoparticles is presented, evaluated and discussed.

Polyethylene laser welding based on optical absorption variations

Polymeric materials, both pure and containing nanostructures, can be prepared as thin sheets in order to produce joints with an interface between an optically transparent sheet and an optically absorbent substrate to be welded by infrared pulsed laser irradiation. The Laser Transmission Welding (LTW) technique has been successfully applied in order to join two or more thermoplastic polymeric sheets that must have a similar chemical composition. In this research work, polymeric joints of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene sheets were realized, characterized and welded. Some polymer sheets were doped, at different concentrations, with carbon nano-particles absorbent the laser radiation. A pulsed laser operating in the wavelength region 532 nm with intensity of the order of 109 Watt/cm2 was employed to be transmitted by the transparent polymer and to be absorbed by the carbon enriched surface. At the interface of the two polymers the released energy induces melting, that is assisted by pressure, producing a fast and resistant welding zone. Mechanical and optical characterizations and surface analyses are presented and discussed.

Nanoparticles Improving the Wetting Ability of Biological Liquids

The contact angle of some biological liquids was investigated on different biocompatible surfaces and nanoparticles were employed to improve their wetting ability. Biocompatible nanoparticles based on titanium, silver and gold were prepared using the technique of the pulsed laser ablation in liquids. The nanoparticles were characterized in size, shape, coalescence and concentration in solutions. Solid biocompatible substrates based on polyethylene, hydroxyapatite and titanium were employed as simulation of prosthetic surfaces. Measurements of contact angle were performed in different biological solution, including the human blood, with respect to the distilled water, without and with the use of the metallic nanoparticles at concentration of the order of 80-370 μg/ml.

White/light white polyethylene joints obtained by diode laser welding process

ABSTRACT Diode laser source was successfully employed for the fabrication of joints comprising nanocomposites of biomedical-grade UHMWPE and small amounts of carbon nanoparticles. The joint with 0.016 wt% of filler exhibited mechanical shear strength of 169N and a light-white color, close to the typical milk-white color of polyethylene. A morphological study of the welded area had been performed. The laser energy produced a thermal effect on the heat-altered zone, thereby smoothening out the surface at a depth of about 1.5 mm. Moreover, surface roughness decreased and the permeability of the joint to biological fluids was enhanced.

Response to fatigue stress of biomedical grade polyethylene joints welded by a diode laser

Biomedical grade UHMWPE double lap joint, welded by a diode laser, has been mechanically characterized by static and dynamic tests. A nanocomposite sheet (UHMWPE filled with low carbon nanoparticles amount) was interposed between two polymeric sheets in order to absorb the laser light, sealing the sheets by means of a melting process. Fatigue test has been performed in the joint with 0.016 wt% of carbon nanofiller for its best mechanical static resistance among those studied. Its fatigue limits resulted to be equal to 22000 cycles. Breaks occurred at the 2nd welded interface, where a poor melting process weakens the entire joint.

Blood Wettability of Haemocompatible Carbon-based Materials

The carbon haemocompatible substrates represent an important group of biomaterials due to their possibility to be used in direct contact with the blood for long times without produce thrombus and dysfunctions of the blood flow in which the biomaterial is immersed. Between the different materials used, the carbon assumes a very significant role for its high capacity of haemocompatibility and physical properties. The wet ability to some biological liquids and blood in different biocompatible material surfaces is investigated for comparison with carbon based surfaces and to distinguish hydrophilic from hydrophobic behaviours. The interest concerns materials based on carbon actually used mainly in orthopedic, dental and cardiovascular applications. A relation between wetting ability and surface roughness is studied to optimize the case of high hydrophilic, employable for cell adhesion and growth, from high hydrophobic characteristics, useful for blood flow vessels and for parts of mobile prosthesis.

Treatment techniques on biocompatible titanium to modify the surface wetting properties

The physical properties of biocompatible titanium surfaces were modified using different techniques of surface treatment. Particularly the measurements of roughness and wetting ability were controlled using six different techniques: polishing, sandblasting, acid attack, laser ablation, ion implantation and nanoparticle deposition. The titanium surface wetting can be modified drastically depending on the used treatment to enhance the hydrophilic or the hydrophobic behaviour of the metallic biocompatible surface. The study demonstrates that a linear relation between roughness and contact angle occurs. Possible applications to permanent or removable prosthesis titanium based are presented and discussed.