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Abstract

Shaped articles made from molded ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) with an average molecular weight of between about 1 million and about 10 million and exhibiting a low modulus of elasticity throughout the shaped article or in selected regions of the shaped article are disclosed. These articles are produced by filling a mold with powdered UHMWPE, covering the mold with a piston, raising the temperature of the mold and its contents to between about 140.degree. and about 225.degree. C. while simultaneously applying a pressure of between about 2.5 and about 15 MPa to the mold and its contents, maintaining the pressure and temperature for between about 5 and about 25 minutes, with the time selected dependent upon the thickness of the molded part, then dropping the temperature of the molded part, either completely or in part at a rate between about 4.degree. and about 175.degree. C./minute either while maintaining the mold at the molding pressure, at pressure less than the molding pressure or under no external applied pressure. The shaped articles so produced exhibit a combination of properties including an elastic modules between about 500 MPA and about 800 MPA, a yield strength equal to or greater than about 20 Mpa, an elongation to rupture of greater than about 300%, crystallinity and density less than or equal to about that of the native powdered UHMWPE used to form the part and a melting point less than or equal to about that of native UHMWPE powder that has experienced melting and cooling at ambient pressure. The shaped articles are useful as the bearing surface of total knee joints, prosthetic hip joint cups and as other prosthetic shapes for replacement of other joints of the human body.

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