The development of wear-resistant polymer-polymer composite materials based on UHMWPE

The paper presents studies of properties and structure of polymer-polymer composites (PPC) based on ultra-high-molecular polyethylene (n-UHMWPE) filled with radiation-modified ultra-high-molecular polyethylene (x-UHMWPE). To ensure radiation cross-linking of polyethylene macromolecules, γ-radiation ( ⁶⁰Со source) was used. Mixtures were obtained using standard technology of UHMWPE processing. Mechanical and tribological characteristics of the obtained PPC were studied. It was found that the wear rate decreases of by 12 times in relation to the unfilled n-UHMWPE. Therefore, adding 20 wt % x-UHMWPE does not change elongation at break and tensile strength of the PPC and remain at the level of the original polymer matrix significantly. The supramolecular structures of PPC were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was shown that x-UHMWPE powder is not homogeneously distributed in the polymer matrix. The filler particles are in the volume of the polymer matrix as unbound separate particles because the x-UHMWPE powders do not melt at the processing temperature of the initial UHMWPE. This leads to “structural fragmentation” of the composite material. The method of IR spectroscopy revealed occurring oxidative processes take place in x-UHMWPE during processing, with the formation of oxygen containing groups (C-O and C=O). The reinforcing fibrous filler (wollastonite) are used to enhance the mechanical properties of PPC and to impart entirely new effects. Using wollastonite improved tensile strength by 15 % and elastic modulus by 50 %.

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