Premium
Wear properties of 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane‐functionalized carbon nanotubes reinforced ultra high molecular weight polyethylene nanocomposites
Author(s) -
Lee JiHoon,
Kathi John,
Rhee Kyong Yop,
Lee Joong Hee
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.21682
Subject(s) - silanization , materials science , nanocomposite , carbon nanotube , ultra high molecular weight polyethylene , composite material , polyethylene , silane , scanning electron microscope
Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is extensively used as a material in various high‐end applications with superior mechanical properties. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced UHMWPE (CNT/UHMWPE) nanocomposite is a promising material that can compensate for the weak durability of UHMWPE. In this study, multiwalled carbon nanotubes were oxidized and silanized using acid mixture and 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane, respectively, to improve the interfacial strength between CNTs and UHMWPE. The CNT/UHMWPE nanocomposite was fabricated using these oxidized and silanized CNTs. The treatment effect of CNTs on the wear behavior of the CNT/UHMWPE nanocomposites was investigated through wear tests. The oxidization and silanization of CNTs were confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscope analysis showed that the silane‐treated CNT/UHMWPE nanocomposites showed better dispersion and interfacial adhesion between UHMWPE and CNTs becaue of the newly formed functional groups on the CNTs. The friction coefficient and wear rate of silanized CNT/UHMWPE nanocomposite were also found to be lower than those of raw UHMWPE and oxidized CNT/UHMWPE nanocomposite. CNTs were functionalized using oxidation and silanization methods to improve the interfacial adhesion between CNTs and UHMWPE. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers