Tribological investigations of UHMWPE nanocomposites reinforced with three different organo‐modified clays

Abstract

Nanocomposites of ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) were developed via the ball milling method followed by hot pressing. Three different organically modified clays of 1.5 wt%, Nanomer I.28E, Nanomer I.30E, and Closite C15A, were used as reinforcements in the UHMWPE matrix. Ball on disc wear tests showed that all of the clay composites resulted in an improved wear resistance when compared to that of pristine UHMWPE. Scanning electron microscopy‐Energy dispersion spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and optical profilometry are used to characterize the nanocomposites and the wear morphology. Among all the types of tested nanoclays, 1.5 wt% of C15A reinforced UHMWPE nanocomposite exhibited the highest wear resistance and the lowest coefficient of friction. Addition of 1.5 wt% C15A to UHMWPE reduced its wear rate by 41% and the coefficient of friction by 38% under dry sliding conditions. These improvements are attributed to the uniform dispersion of the clay platelets in the polymer matrix, preventing large scale material removal and also to the formation of a thin tenacious, continuous transfer film on the counterface. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:2224–2231, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers