Thermal and mechanical properties of UHMWPE/HDPE/PCL and bioglass filler: Effect of polycaprolactone

Abstract

Polymeric composites based on polyethylene, high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) with polycaprolactone (PCL) and a ceramic filler (bioglass type) were studied in terms of their thermal and mechanical behavior. Two polyethylene ratios (10/90 and 30/70% wt/wt of UHMWPE/HDPE) and two PCL content ratios (5% and 10% wt/wt) were used. The obtained composites were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, melt flow index, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The results indicate a nonchemical interaction between polyethylene, especially the UHMWPE, and PCL and that the composites' thermal transitions vary from the parent polymers and depend on the PCL concentration. The PCL's melting temperature in the composite was reduced, showing a new one. Also, the melting enthalpy of polyethylene was reduced when the concentration of PCL increased. The mechanical behavior depends on both the polyethylene ratio and the PCL content. The composite with 30% wt/wt of UHMWPE and 10% wt/wt of PCL showed the highest toughness value due to the good interaction between polymers. These new composites may be attractive for biomedical applications and could be evaluated, for example, as materials for prostheses.

Performance of Poly(caprolactone) (PCL) as an Impact Modifier for Polystyrene (PS): Effect of Functionalized Compatibilizers with Maleic Anhydride and Glycidyl Methacrylate

“…Polybutadiene (PB), styrene-butadiene (SBR), styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS), and styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) rubbers are the most used impact modifiers to toughen PS [10][11][12][13][14]. However, considerable investment in research has been made in recent years to use eco-friendly polymers to modify the properties of commodity polymers [15][16][17][18]. Poly(caprolactone) (PCL) is currently one of the most-used eco-friendly thermoplastics, which presents a very flexible behavior and, consequently, with potential application as an impact modifier [19][20][21].…”