Abstract
The effects of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) as a filler on the tribological and mechanical properties of two biocompatible epoxies were studied. SU-8 and Structalit 8801 (a trade name) were the two biocompatible epoxies selected for this investigation. UHMWPE powder (40–48 μm particle size) was added to the selected epoxies to tailor their mechanical and tribological properties. In dry sliding tests, after adding 25 wt% of UHMWPE particles, the coefficient of friction (COF) was reduced by 79 and 67% for SU-8 and Structalit, respectively, and the specific wear rate was reduced by 92 and 58% for SU-8 and Structalit, respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis conducted on the samples indicated that there was no chemical bonding between UHMWPE fillers and the epoxy matrices. A biocompatibility test conducted on SU-8 cured with the hardener confirmed that the samples were not cytotoxic. In addition, it was noted that the ductility ratio of SU-8 and Structalit increased by 71 and 40%, respectively, with the addition of UHMWPE. These novel composites can find applications as biomaterials for tribologically demanding applications such as hip–knee joint implants, dental implant, etc.
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