Tribological performance of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene nanocomposites reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets

Abstract

Self‐lubricating polymers, such as ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) are attractive for minimizing friction and wear in dry sliding state. However, UHMWPE has low load bearing capacity. Therefore, this research focuses on the development of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) reinforced UHMWPE nanocomposite for improved tribological properties to meet the current mechanical bearing applications demands. In order to realize this target, UHMWPE reinforced with different loadings (0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 wt%) of GNPs, were fabricated by ultra‐sonication and hot pressing to investigate optimum GNPs concentration. Pin on disc wear test was carried out to select the optimum composition which gives the lowest wear rate. The nanocomposites were characterized by phase, microscopic, and profilometric analyses. The results showed that UHMWPE/0.25 wt% GNPs demonstrated the highest wear resistance with a 31% reduction in wear rate as compared to the pure UHMWPE. The pressure and velocity (PV) limit for the UHMWPE/0.25 wt% GNPs nanocomposite was calculated to be 6 MPa m/s. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E1301–E1311, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers