Carbon Nanotube-Based Reinforced Polymers for Medical Applications: Improving Impact Strength of Polymer-Polymer Composites

Abstract

There is a continuous need for innovative biomaterials with advanced properties to meet the biomechanical requirements of orthopedic implants and interventional devices. Recent research findings show that using material composites leads to significantly improved properties, which are beneficial for medical applications. Therefore, this work aims at studying polymer-polymer composites of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), which were mixed with and without reinforcement of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in two steps. An extensive characterization workflow including mechanical tensile tests, tribological performance, and surface characteristics was used to analyze the reinforced polymer-polymer composite samples. The results of the mechanical tests showed that the developed MWCNT-reinforced samples achieved better performance, due to a higher yield point that is the highest in the sample with 48.5% HDPE-50% UHMWPE-0.5% MWCNTs, a higher value in the hardness test peaking in the sample with 49.5% HDPE-50% UHMWPE-0.5% MWCNTs, and a lower friction coefficient in HDPE-UHMWPE-MWCNTs samples. Overall, the reinforcement of polymer-polymer composites with MWCNTs led to a significant improvement of the material characteristics required for the designated use in orthopedic implants and interventional biopsy needles, which will lead to improved clinical results.