the peek matrix the composite ring was strengthened and exhibited increased rigidity when compared with rings that were not reinforced according to the invention an exemplary process for fabricating a locking mechanism to secure components of an acetabular cup assembly where the assembly includes an insert bearing component for receiving a femur ball and an outer shell component for attachment to an acetabulum to replace a natural hip socket including a cavity for receiving the insert bearing component therein comprises the steps of a forming a first arcuate groove on the outer surface of the insert bearing component b forming a second arcuate groove on the inner surface of the outer shell component at a location that is axially aligned with the arcuate groove formed in the insert bearing component and c fabricating a retaining ring for interlocking the insert into the outer shell the retaining ring being formed at least in part using polyaryletherketone further details of this process include utilizing a machining process to form the ring or alternatively utilizing an injection molding process to form the ring according to a preferred embodiment of the invention the polyaryletherketone used in the aforementioned process is peek and the finished ring preferrably 100 peek when located simultaneously in the first arcuate groove and the second arcuate groove to thereby interlock the insert and outer shell has a finite number of contact points on both the insert and on the outer shell according to alternate embodiments of the invention the polyaryletherketone used is combined with a reinforcing material like carbon fiber when added strength is required the invention also contemplates a process for fabricating a retaining ring for an acetabular cup assembly that includes a an insert bearing component having an inner bearing surface for.