High density polyethylene/ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend. II. Effect of hydroxyapatite on processing, thermal, and mechanical properties
Author(s) -
Lim K. L. K.,
Ishak Z. A. Mohd,
Ishiaku U. S.,
Fuad A. M. Y.,
Yusof A. H.,
Czigany T.,
Pukanzsky B.,
Ogunniyi D. S.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.22866
Subject(s) - high density polyethylene , materials science , composite material , polyethylene , differential scanning calorimetry , toughness , ultimate tensile strength , scanning electron microscope , brittleness , ultra high molecular weight polyethylene , flexural strength , izod impact strength test , thermogravimetric analysis , chemical engineering , physics , engineering , thermodynamics
Abstract Hydroxyapatite (HA) is part of bone mineral composition. Several attempts have been made to incorporate HA into high density polyethylene (HDPE) to produce bone replacement biomaterials since neat HDPE is not suitable as bone replacement. The blending of HDPE with ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) up to 50% by weight was performed with the aim of improving the toughness of composites. Reinforcement of blend with HA of up to 50% by weight was carried out. Methods of characterizing the composites included density, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, ash content, and morphological examination using scanning electron microscope. For the mechanical properties of the composites, tensile, flexural, and impact tests were carried out. Incorporation of HA into HDPE has resulted in the brittleness of the composites. Blending of HDPE with UHMWPE in the presence of HA was found to improve the mechanical properties and promote a ductile failure of the resulting composites. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3931–3942, 2006