Studies on the Wear Characteristics of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Polymer Nanocomposites containing Nano Zinc Oxide

Abstract

Results of wear characteristics of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Polymer Nanocomposites reinforced with micron zinc oxide and Nano zinc oxide are presented. Produced Nano ZnO had flower moprphology (typical flower petal has a length of ∼ 200 nm). Wear rates were acquired using a fabricated wear tester, with applied normal load of 20N, and 40N in rotation and reciprocation modes in dry conditions for 4 hours. In rotation mode neat specific wear rate of UHMWPE being 2.8 x 10-5 g/Nm for test duration of 2 hours and decreased thereafter to 1.9x10-5 g/Nm till the end of 4 hours of test duration with applied normal load of 20N. UHMWPE-5% micron ZnO showed highest specific wear rate in both rotation and reciprocation modes. UHMWPE-10% Nano ZnO exhibited intermediate specific wear rate in both rotation and reciprocation modes. UHMWPE-5% NanoZnO possessed lowest wear rate, and smooth worn-out surfaces were observed for UHMWPE-Nano ZnO composites. There has been a 3 fold increase in Ra and Rq values of worn out neat UHMWPE, 1.5 fold increase for micron ZnO composites. However, Ra and Rq values of UHMWPE-10% Nano ZnO composites are decreased. 3D surface images were complementing the test results obtained in this preliminary investigation.