Characterization and tribological analysis of graphite/ultra high molecular weight polyethylene nanocomposite films

Wear of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) plays an important role in medical industry. In this work the UHMWPE was reinforced with graphite nanoparticles at different concentrations. The nanocomposite films were prepared by cryo-milling followed by sintering. The mechanical test results showed that with increasing the graphite concentrations, Hardness, Young's modulus and the yield strength of the Graphite/UHMWPE composite increased, but the strain at fracture decreased. Hot pressed composite structures were characterized for their tribological behavior in a ball-on-disk tribometer using a normal load of 30 N. Graphite nanoplates reinforcement improved on the wear resistance, which is a combined effect of lubrication as well as toughening offered by graphite nanoplates. The best wear responses seen at lower concentrations of graphite viz. 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 wt%. The prepared Graphite/UHMWPE composites could be an appropriate candidate to be used in joint articulations, where low friction and high wear resistance are required.