In situ fabrication of CuO/UHMWPE nanocomposites and their tribological performance

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites present remarkably enhanced mechanical and tribological properties with respect to their matrices even at a low loading of nanofillers. Here, cupric oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (nano-CuO) were in situ filled into ultra-high-molecularweight polyethylene (UHMWPE) to inhibit a possible agglomeration encountered in the preparation by mechanical mixing. The filled CuO nanoparticles were highly dispersed in UHMWPE with a reliable interface combination. The CuO nanoparticles in the matrix play a role for heterogeneous nucleation, resulting in an enhancement in degree of crystallinity of UHMWPE. The elastic modulus and the elongation at break of the nanocomposites also presented an improvement, indicating a good compatibility between the nano-CuO and the matrix. The average sliding friction coefficient of UHMWPE against 45 # steel was reduced by up to 34% after the in situ filling of CuO nanoparticles, and the wear mechanism was found to transform from adhesive to fatigue wear after the introduction of nano-CuO. It is concluded that the in situ filling can improve the dispersion of CuO nanoparticles in UHMWPE, and markedly promote the mechanical properties and tribological performance of UHMWPE.

Effect of Nanofillers on Tribological Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites: A Review on Recent Development

“…Polymers are modified by incorporating appropriate fillers to fulfil the requirements of a particular application and overcome their drawbacks. Nanotechnologies have benefited tribological research in terms of the distinguished characteristics in surface, volume and quantum dimensions of nanofillers [ 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Nanofillers are fillers having at least one dimension in the range of 1 to 100 nm, and they can be classified into various shapes depending on the number of nano-dimensions [ 22 , 34 ].…”

“…Cu and cupric oxide (CuO) are well-known as soft fillers, where they can effectively devour shear force applied on transfer film to reduce wear [ 116 ]. The incorporation of CuO [ 33 ] and Cu coated with silicon (Cu/Si) nanoparticles [ 117 ] reduced COF and wear scar width of the nanocomposites when compared to pristine UHMWPE and PA6, respectively. CuO acted as rigid abrasive particles to reduce the contact area, as well as enhancing the molecular entropy of the system.…”

Preparation and characterization of activated carbon/ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene composites

“…Moreover, due to its high molecular weight, it has a very high viscosity, even higher than the melting point, so it is difficult to process the material by conventional methods, and it needs to be modified [ 19 ] . Adding fillers such as inorganic particles, [ 20 ] carbon additives, [ 21 ] and graphene [ 22 ] to reinforce them is the most straightforward and most efficient modification method. Wang et al [ 23 ] used five different silicates to enhance UHMWPE and compared the effects of different fillers on the fretting properties, thermodynamic properties, and crystallinity of composite materials.…”

Effect of Borpolymer on Mechanical and Structural Parameters of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene

“…The introduction of micro-and nanosized fillers into UHMWPE increases the mechanical and tribological characteristics, which expands the application range of the material [4,5]. It is known that polymer composites based on UHMWPE filled with nanosized fillers are distinguished by a low coefficient of friction, increased strength characteristics, and resistance to cracking [6,7]. Due to the high specific surface area of particles and the decompensation of bonds of a significant number of atoms, nanosized fillers are characterized by their agglomeration, which leads to the appearance of defective regions and, consequently, to a decrease in the mechanical characteristics of PCM.…”