Role of nano-fillers on tribological behaviour of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene composites

Abstract

An investigation has been made of the dry slithering wear and two-body abrasive wear (2-BAW) performance of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) loaded up with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and copper nanoparticles (n-Cu). Tribological tests were carried out utilizing a pin-on-disc test rig employing EN32 steel and SiC emery paper as counterparts against UHMWPE composite glued to a circular pin, under different test circumstances. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was expended to dissect the morphologies of chosen worn surfaces. The configurations of friction coefficient (µ), weight reduction and explicit wear rate (Ks) were assessed in adhesive wear-mode and the Ks in the event of multi-pass 2-BAW mode under various dissociate/masses. It has been demonstrated that inclusion of exceptionally little extents (0.1 and 0.5 wt%) of nano-fillers has resulted in significant improvement in the slithering wear performance. Moreover, 1-D filler (CNTs) diminished the contact surface, advanced the exchange of UHMWPE and diminished the interlocking and furrowing of the composite from the steel partner, which added to the reduction of both Ks and µ. UHMWPE loaded up with 0.5 wt% CNTs has outpaced the material system in the study group in tribological properties. Abrasive wear assessment revealed that the UHMWPE composites demonstrated diminished Ks with expanding abrading distance and coarseness of SiC emery paper. Further, UHMWPE/CNTs demonstrated good resistance to abrasion wear in contrast with unfilled UHMWPE and n-Cu filled UHMWPE composites.