Patent ID: 8888859

Claim:
An oxidation and wear resistant cross-linked acetabular component comprising an interlocked hybrid material, wherein the acetabular component is made by a method comprising the steps of: a) contacting a polymeric material with an antioxidant, thereby forming an antioxidant-containing oxidation resistant polymeric material; b) compression molding the oxidation resistant polymeric material into pores of a porous metallic counterface, thereby forming an interlocked hybrid material having an interface between the polymeric material and the porous metallic counterface, which permits bony in-growth into the porous metallic counterface of the interlocked hybrid material; and c) irradiating the interlocked hybrid material from step (b) by ionizing radiation with a dose of between about 50 and about 1000 kGy at an elevated temperature that is above room temperature and below the melting point of the polymeric material, thereby forming cross-links in the polymeric material and yielding an oxidation and wear resistant cross-linked interlocked hybrid material for the acetabular component, wherein: (i) the cross-linking strengthens the polymeric material to minimize separation at the interface, (ii) the antioxidant provides resistance to post-irradiation oxidation, and (iii) the irradiation sterilizes the interface.