Abstract: A prosthetic acetabular cup assembly, for receiving a ball attached to a femur, including components interlocked via a locking mechanism that includes a retaining ring fabricated at least in part using a polyaryletherketone material, such as PEEK. The locking mechanism is designed to meet predefined constraints such as assuring that substantially all motion is eliminated between assembled parts, assuring further that push-in/pull-out forces of assembly are within generally accepted industry standards, etc.

Abstract: A prosthetic acetabular cup assembly, for receiving a ball attached to a femur, including components interlocked via a locking mechanism that includes a retaining ring fabricated at least in part using a polyaryletherketone material, such as PEEK. The locking mechanism is designed to meet predefined constraints such as assuring that substantially all motion is eliminated between assembled parts, assuring further that push-in/pull-out forces of assembly are within generally accepted industry standards, etc.

Abstract: A beam adapted for implantation within a bone is able to support bending and torsional loading forces applied thereto. The beam has a stiffness defined by a modulus elasticity, which stiffness varies along the length of the beam to match the corresponding stiffness of the cortical bone adjacent the beam after implantation within the bone. The beam is made from an elongated core formed of chopped carbon fibers embedded in a thermoplastic polymer matrix. Encasing the core is a sheath formed of carbon reinforced filament fibers embedded in the thermoplastic polymer which is wound in spiral formation around the core and molded thereto. The winding angle and the sheath thickness along the beam may be varied to vary the modulus of elasticity to match that of the cortical bone adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A beam adapted for implantation within a bone is able to support bending and torsional loading forces applied thereto. The beam has a stiffness defined by a modulus elasticity, which stiffness varies along the length of the beam to match the corresponding stiffness of the cortical bone adjacent the beam after implantation within the bone. The beam is made from an elongated core formed of continuous filament carbon fibers embedded in a thermoplastic polymer matrix with the carbon filaments extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam. Encasing the core is a filler molded to the core, which filler is made up of the same thermoplastic polymer as the core but contains no reinforcing carbon fibers. The filler provides the prosthesis with a shape generally conforming to the desired shape of the final prosthetic implant. A sheath formed of carbon reinforced filament fibers embedded in the thermoplastic polymer is wound in spiral formation around the filler and molded thereto.

Abstract: A method of producing a site for tissue ingrowth on a surgical implant by embedding a space occupier possessing a desired pattern in the surface of the implant at the desired location for ingrowth and then solubilizing the embedded space occupier to leave the pattern on the implant surface. Preferably, the implant is fabricated from a composite comprising a semi-crystalline thermoplastic resin such as polyetheretherketone or polyphenylene sulfide, and the space occupier is an acid-soluble metal plate machined to produce the desired pattern and removed by aqueous acid solution.

Abstract: Polycarbonate or copoly(carbonate/phosphonate) resins of low bulk density are compacted by mechanical pressure into easily handleable and processable mattes which can be used to produce pellets. Typically loose material with a bulk density less than about 0.1 g/cm.sup.3 is compacted to a matte of material with a bulk density greater than about 1 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: An article comprising: (1) an interpolymer which comprises crosslinked (meth)acrylate, crosslinked styrene-acrylonitrile, and uncrosslinked styrene-acrylonitrile components; and (2) an adherent metallic coating on said interpolymer. The article is useful as a plated component in motor vehicles, for example, as trim, grille work, wheel covers, and the like, or as plated appliance parts or plumbing components.

Abstract: A process for strengthening carbide fibers by removing internal stresses caused by their formation. This process is accomplished by drawing the carbide fiber under tension through a furnace. The temperature of the furnace may range from about 2050.degree. to 2300.degree. C. while the fiber tensile stress may vary from about 200 to 3500 p.s.i. when using boron carbide fibers with diameters ranging from about 8 to 14 microns.

Abstract: Boron nitride-boron nitride composite bodies may be produced by combining pure boron nitride fibers with partially nitrided fibers consisting essentially of B, N, O, and H, and hot pressing the composite at elevated temperatures and pressure. The partially nitrided material serves as a source of matrix material for the boron nitride fibers, and when fiber orientation is properly controlled, bodies of extremely high strength may be obtained. Densities in excess of 1.5 g./cc. may be obtained, in a one-step process which overcomes difficulties inherent in multiple-step nitriding and re-nitriding processes.

Abstract: A process for strengthening carbide fibers by removing internal stresses caused by their formation. This process is accomplished by drawing the carbide fiber under tension through a furnace. The temperature of the furnace may range from about 2050.degree. to 2300.degree.C while the fiber tensile stress may vary from about 200 to 3500 p.s.i. when using boron carbide fibers with diameters ranging from about 8 to 14 microns.