Preparation of compatibilizer with large specific surface and its application in immiscible polymer blends with ultra‐high molecular weight

Abstract

In this work, a compatibilizer (UHMWPE‐g‐GO) with large specific surface was prepared from graphene oxide (GO) and ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). First, GO was modified by 2, 3‐epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (GTA), subsequently grafted with UHMWPE. UHMWPE‐g‐GO was used to compatibilize the immiscible monomer casting (MC) nylon/UHMWPE blends. With the addition of very low content of UHMWPE‐g‐GO, the compatibility of UHMWPE and the matrix (MC nylon) was remarkably improved without visible agglomerates, which was proved by photographs, scanning electron microscope, dynamic thermomechanical analysis, and contact angle measurement. Therefore, thermal stability, mechanical and tribological properties were obviously increased. A dramatic increment of 94.1% in the impact strength and a decrement of 39.4% in the coefficient friction were observed in the presence of UHMWPE‐g‐GO in the immiscible polymer blends. The approach used in this work was an efficient strategy for immiscible polymer blends with ultra‐high molecular weight. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:335–344, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers

Ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene reinforced polypropylene and polyamide composites toward developing low‐noise automobile interior

“…This is due to the toughening effect of UHMWPE. The UHMWPE is a flexible macromolecule; thus, the increase of UHMWPE content resulted in more effective deformation by absorbing high energy . Therefore, the impact strength of PP composites was increased with increasing the UHMWPE content.…”

“…Ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is reported for its toughening and friction‐reducing properties . Molecular weight of UHMWPE is 10–100 times higher than that of the conventionally used high‐density polyethylene, and it exhibits better mechanical performances .…”

“…Li et al . and Wang et al . investigated the tribological and mechanical properties of UHMWPE/PA composites.…”

“…Molecular weight of UHMWPE is 10–100 times higher than that of the conventionally used high‐density polyethylene, and it exhibits better mechanical performances . In particular, UHMWPE has a relatively low friction coefficient, good self‐lubrication performance, and excellent impact toughness, due to its nonpolar, extremely long, and highly entangled molecular chain . Some investigations for reducing the friction and improving the impact strength by addition of UHMWPE into polymer materials have been reported.…”