Development of Polymer Composite Materials Based on Ultrahigh-Molecular Weight Polyethylene and Carbon Fillers

Abstract

The present study investigates the influence of carbon fibers of LO-1-12N/40 brand and modified carbon fibers of "Belum" brand on performance properties and structure of polymer composite materials based on UHMWPE of Gur-4150 grade. It has been established that introduction of both modified carbon fibers and LO-1-12N/40 carbon fiber in an amount of from 1 to 10 wt.% into the polymer matrix does not lead to significant changes in stress-strain properties of composites compared to the starting polymer. It is shown that the wear resistance of the obtained materials is significantly increased when filling with 5 wt.% carbon fibers of "Belum" brand. The rate of mass wear of polymer composite materials is reduced by 3.3 times; the friction coefficient of PCM is lowered by 3.5 times relative to the starting polymer.