Can incorporation of vitamin E be an alternative to remelting of radiation cross-linked UHMWPE?

This invited lecture by Prof. Luigi Costa from the University of Torino covers the state-of-the-art for Vitamin E stabilization of HXLPE. Professor Costa's research addresses the question whether or not stabilization of UHMWPE by blending with VItamin E can replace thermal stabilzation of HXLPEs. Dr. Costa provides a technical rationale for eliminating heat treatment of HXLPEs and concludes that Vitamin E can be an effective alternative to remelting of medical grade HXLPEs. Professor Luigi Costa from the Department of Chemisty at the University of Torino is an international authority on the degradation and stabilization of polymers, especially medical grade UHMWPE.