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Effect of particle size on microstructural and mechanical properties of UHMWPE–TiO 2 composites produced by gelation and crystallization method
Author(s) -
Celebi Efe Gozde,
Altinsoy Ibrahim,
Türk Serbülent,
Bindal Cuma,
Ucisik A. Hikmet
Publication year - 2019
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.47402
Subject(s) - materials science , crystallinity , composite material , ultra high molecular weight polyethylene , crystallization , scanning electron microscope , differential scanning calorimetry , polyethylene , ultimate tensile strength , nanocomposite , chemical engineering , physics , engineering , thermodynamics
In this study, Ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in 0.5 wt % concentration—0.5, 1, and 2 wt % nanosized and micron‐sized TiO 2 composites were produced via gelation/crystallization method in decalin + antioxidant solution at 150 °C for 45 min by using magnetic stirrer. The gel composites were cooled in an aluminum tray embedded in iced water under ambient conditions and dried in an oven at 130 °C for 90 min to remove any residual trace of decalin and to strengthen the UHWMPE matrix. Scanning electron microscopy–EDS images indicate that TiO 2 particles were integrated well with the polymer matrix. differential scanning calorimetry studies revealed that the crystallinity of pure UHMWPE was calculated as 56% and an increase of 13.32% for micron sized and 19.25% for nano sized TiO 2 . Crystalline and amorphous phases of UHMWPE–TiO 2 composites confirmed by Raman are in good agreement with the literature. The elastic modulus of test materials ranged from 610 to 791 MPa for micron sized and raised from 675 to 1085 for nano sized reinforcing agents. Ultimate tensile stress increased about 35% for micron sized and 60% for nano sized weight 1% TiO 2 reinforced composites. Biomineralization tests (performed in stimulated body fluid, at 37 °C and 6.5 pH during 1 month) have shown that produced composites are compatible as acetabular liner replacement for hipjoints due to no accumulation (Ca, P, Na, etc.) on UHMWPE–TiO 2 composites. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136 , 47402.