Wear Resistance Mechanism of Ultrahigh-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Determined from Its Structure–Property Relationships

Abstract

Although it is generally believed that the extraordinarily high molecular weight plays a great role in the excellent wear resistance of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), the mechanism behind this effect remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the wear behavior of UHMWPE with respect to its microstructures, measured in terms of its crystallinity, lamellar thickness and crystallite size, entanglement, interphase fractions, and surface roughness. From these structure− property relationships, we conclude that the high wear resistance of UHMWPE can be attributed to its higher degree of entanglement and its high fraction content of interphase domains; the other parameters were either not significant or not relevant. Accordingly, we propose a mechanism in which the more greatly entangled molecular chain networks of UHMWPE protect the surface and subsurface layers from damage under stresses during sliding wear.

Enhanced wear resistance of ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene fibers by modified‐graphite oxide

“…Structure 1 is the UHMWPE wear debris that results from fatigue wear or plastic deformation under reciprocating friction 65 . Structure 2 is the cutting grove that is ascribed to the micro‐cutting of abrasive grain 66 . With increasing concentration of m‐GO in UHMWPE drawn fiber, the number of granular structures decreases and the depth of cutting groves gradually reduces.…”

“…The characteristic morphologies of the transfer film can be divided into three types: ribbon‐like UHMWPE (such as Region 1 in Figure 10(e)), UHMWPE debris (such as Region 2 in Figure 10(e)), and transfer film (such as Region 3 in Figure 10(e)). The structure of ribbon‐like UHMWPE was generated by split of UHMWPE fiber that was caused by micro‐cutting of abrasive grain 66 . The formation of UHMWPE debris is caused by plastic deformation 8 due to reciprocating friction.…”

“…65 Structure 2 is the cutting grove that is ascribed to the microcutting of abrasive grain. 66 With increasing concentration of m-GO in UHMWPE drawn fiber, the number of granular structures decreases and the depth of cutting groves gradually reduces. This result reveals that the m-GO can resist the friction force and protect UHMWPE fiber from fracture.…”

“…The structure of ribbon-like UHMWPE was generated by split of UHMWPE fiber that was caused by micro-cutting of abrasive grain. 66 The formation of UHMWPE debris is caused by plastic deformation 8 due to reciprocating friction.…”

Study on preparing of ultrahigh‐molecular weight polyethylene microporous materials by novel non‐dense injection molding method

“…Ultrahigh‐molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a thermoplastic engineering plastic with a molecular weight of over 1.0 × 10 6 g/mol, has excellent comprehensive properties because of its ultrahigh‐molecular weight 1,2 . The main properties are impact resistance, abrasion resistance, chemical corrosion resistance and low‐temperature resistance 3–7 . Moreover, it also has the characteristics of safety, hygiene and no adhesion.…”