INVESTIGATION OF TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYMER COMPOSITES PRODUCED WITH NANO CERAMIC REINFORCEMENT UNDER DRY AND ALKYL BASED OIL CONDITIONS
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles on the tribological performance of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites under dry and polyalphaolefin (PAO)-lubricated conditions. Experimental evaluations included measurements of friction coefficient, wear rate, and hardness, complemented by optical microscopy of wear tracks. Results indicated that incorporating Al₂O₃ cut μ from 0.12 to 0.07 and V̇ from 4.3 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.6 × 10⁻⁶ mm³ N⁻¹ m⁻¹ under dry sliding (4 wt % filler). With PAO, an optimum 2 wt % loading yielded μ ≈ 0.05 and V̇ ≈ 1.1 × 10⁻⁶ mm³ N⁻¹ m⁻¹. Hardness rose by ≈ 22 %,confirming the reinforcing effect of the nanoparticles. Optical microscopy confirmed ploughing wear mechanisms and highlighted issues of particle segregation at elevated filler loadings. Optimizing filler dispersion and maintaining appropriate nanoparticle concentrations are essential for maximizing the tribological advantages of UHMWPE-Al₂O₃ composites. Potential applications include bearing components, biomedical implants, and industrial sliding interfaces, while challenges remain in managing nanoparticle agglomeration.
Keywords
References
- Fu, Wenxin, Wei Bai, Sisi Jiang, Bryan T. Seymour, and Bin Zhao. 2018. “UCST-Type Thermoresponsive Polymers in Synthetic Lubricating Oil Polyalphaolefin (PAO).” Macromolecules 51(5):1674–80. doi:10.1021/acs.macromol.7b02755.
- Golchin, Arash, Alexis Villain, and Nazanin Emami. 2017. “Tribological Behaviour of Nanodiamond Reinforced UHMWPE in Water-Lubricated Contacts.” Tribology International 110:195–200. doi:10.1016/j.triboint.2017.01.016.
- Hackler, Ryan A., Philip J. Griffin, Amgad Elgowainy, Uddhav Kanbur, Kimaya Vyavhare, Robert M. Kennedy, Ali Erdemir, Guiyan Zang, Pingping Sun, Kenneth R. Poeppelmeier, Massimiliano Delferro, Gokhan Celik, and Aaron D. Sadow. 2021. “Synthetic Lubricants Derived from Plastic Waste and Their Tribological Performance.” ChemSusChem 14. doi:10.1002/cssc.202100912.
- Hardiman, M., T. J. Vaughan, and C. T. McCarthy. 2016. “The Effects of Pile-up, Viscoelasticity and Hydrostatic Stress on Polymer Matrix Nanoindentation.” Polymer Testing 52:157–66. doi:10.1016/j.polymertesting.2016.04.003.
- Hussain, Muzamil, Naseem Abbas, Muhammad Waqas Khalid, Rizwan Ali Naqvi, Nida Zahra, Shahzad Masood Khan, Saad Nawaz, and Arif Hussain. 2020. “Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight-Polyethylene (UHMWPE) as a Promising Polymer Material for Biomedical Applications: A Concise Review.” Polymers 12. doi:10.3390/polym12020323.
- Kumar, Homender, and A. P. Harsha. 2021. “Augmentation in Tribological Performance of Polyalphaolefins by COOH-Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes as an Additive in Boundary Lubrication Conditions.” Journal of Tribology 143(102202). doi:10.1115/1.4051392.
- Macuvele, Domingos Lusitâneo Pier, Janaína Nones, Jonas V. Matsinhe, Marla M. Lima, Cíntia Soares, Márcio A. Fiori, and Humberto G. Riella. 2017. “Advances in Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene/Hydroxyapatite Composites for Biomedical Applications: A Brief Review.” Materials Science and Engineering: C 76:1248–62. doi:10.1016/j.msec.2017.02.070.
- Manoj Kumar, R., Sandan Kumar Sharma, B. V. Manoj Kumar, and Debrupa Lahiri. 2015. “Effects of Carbon Nanotube Aspect Ratio on Strengthening and Tribological Behavior of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Composite.” Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 76:62–72. doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.05.007.
- Movva, Sahitya, Reeshemah K. Burrell, Hamid Garmestani, and Karl I. Jacob. 2023. “Characterization of Hardness and Elastic Modulus Using Nanoindentation and Correlation with Wear Behavior of UHMWPE during Uniaxial Tension.” Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials 147:106142. doi:10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.106142.
- Pang, Wenchao, Zifeng Ni, JiaLiang Wu, and Yongwu Zhao. 2018. “Investigation of Tribological Properties of Graphene Oxide Reinforced Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene under Artificial Seawater Lubricating Condition.” Applied Surface Science 434:273–82. doi:10.1016/j.apsusc.2017.10.115.