Study of a compatibilized ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene and polyurethane blend

Ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and thermoplastic polyester‐type polyurethane (PU) were blended with polyethylene‐grafted maleic anhydride (PE‐ g ‐MAH) added as a compatibilizer. A dual roller was used as a mixer, and all specimens were produced by the compression molding method. It was found that without compatibilizer, UHMWPE and PU were immiscible polymers and mixing PE‐ g ‐MAH reduced the size of the dispersed PU domains by a factor of 10 to reach 0.5–5 μm and caused a more uniform distribution of the PU phase in the UHMWPE matrix. Also, PE‐ g ‐MAH influenced the crystallinity of UHMWPE, increased the amorphous region in the UHMWPE phase, and improved interfacial adhesion. The threshold concentration of compatibilizer was 10 wt %, and the compatibilized UHMWPE/PU composites had improved mechanical properties and lower wear rate than the uncompatibilized composite. At some ratio points, compatibilizer composites even had better wear‐resistance properties than pure UHMWPE. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 3290–3295, 2001