Wear behavior of Carbon Nanotube/High Density Polyethylene composites

Abstract

Carbon Nanotube/High Density Polyethylene (CNT/HDPE) composites were manufactured and tested to determine their wear behavior. The nanocomposites were made from untreated multi-walled carbon nanotubes and HDPE pellets. Thin films of the precursor materials were created with varying weight percentages of nanotubes (1%, 3%, and 5%), through a process of mixing and extruding. The precursor composites were then molded and machined to create test specimens for mechanical and wear tests. These included small punch testing to compare stiffness, maximum load and work-tofailure and block-on-ring testing to determine wear behavior. Each of the tests was conducted for the different weight percentages of composite as well as pure HDPE as the baseline. The measured mechanical properties and wear resistance of the composite materials increased with increasing nanotube content in the range studied.

Investigation of wear and wear particles from a UHMWPE/multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposite for total joint replacements

“…Further addition of MWCNTs did not show significant differences. These results are in concordance with previous investigations on the effect of MWCNTs on polymer matrices [30,31].…”

“…An improvement in the wear performance of conventional UHMWPE due to the addition of MWCNTs has also been reported [13]. However, it is known that not only the wear rates play a role in the biological reaction to wear debris but also factors such as the morphology, size, volume and composition of the wear particles are important [14] and [15].…”

Advanced biomaterials in hip joint arthroplasty. A review on polymer and ceramics composites as alternative bearings

“…Therefore, introducing nanoparticles in the orthopaedic field require extensive in-vivo studies to predict possible long-term effects [65]. Johnson et al [66] investigated the mechanical and wear behaviour of high density polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced with CNT evidencing that the addition of a few percentage of nanotubes positively affects stiffness, maximum load tolerance and wear resistance. The influence of CNTs in UHMWPE on wear resistance is reported to be positive.…”

Influence of carbon nanotube–polymeric compatibilizer masterbatches on morphological, thermal, mechanical, and tribological properties of polyethylene

“…In general, HDPE has a good wear resistance and low friction coefficient [22]. The addition of nanotubes has been reported to improve the wear rate of PE but the effect on friction coefficient is not straightforward [23][24][25].…”