Date of Award

Fall 2025

Project Type

Dissertation

Program or Major

Mechanical Engineering

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

First Advisor

Igor IT Tsukrov

Second Advisor

Brad BK Kinsey

Third Advisor

Jinjin JH Ha

Abstract

The development of ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMWPE) based composite materials continues to present significant opportunities in biomedical engineering, particularly in joint arthroplasty and implant technologies. As applications expand, the need for accurate modeling of microstructure–property relationships to guide informed material design and manufacturing decisions is increasing. This dissertation presents a multiscale numerical modeling framework informed by X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) data to corelate the effective mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of biomedically relevant composite systems with their microstructure.

Two material systems are considered: UHMWPE reinforced with conductive carbon black (CB) nanoparticles, and porous UHMWPE with two processes of pores generation. For CB/UHMWPE composites, complex microstructure with intergranular regions of high CB concentration is observed. Micromechanical modeling methods are applied to model these regions located between polymer granules. μCT-based representative volume elements are constructed to model the effective mechanical and conductive behavior of CB/UHMWPE via finite element analysis (FEA). Modeling results are compared with experimental measurements.

The micromechanical behavior of porous UHMWPE is investigated using both direct image-to-mesh FEA models and individual pore contribution analysis. The modeling results are compared to experimental data.

The methodology presented in this work provides a foundation for integrating material characterization and image-derived modeling into design workflows for advanced UHMWPE composites, supporting decisions in biomedical implant performance and reliability.

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