An Investigation on UHMWPE-HAp Composites Manufactured by Solution-Gelation Method

Abstract

In this study, HAp reinforcement into UHMWPE matrix having 1.0 % wt. mass and its effects on microstructural and mechanical properties of the UHMWPE composites were investigated. UHMWPE composites reinforced with 0.5, 1 and 2.0 wt. % nano HAp powders, respectively were successfully produced by solution and gelation method. SEM studies showed that HAp nano particles were homogenously distributed into UHMWPE matrix and good cross-linked with the matrix. SEM-map EDS analysis confirmed SEM. FTIR results revealed that HAp incorporation into matrix was conducted and crystallization of UHMWPE increased by increment in amount of HAp results in deepening crystallization peaks at nearby 500 and 1500 cm-1.  DSC results, which is useful technique to determine the variation of melting point and crystallization ratio of UHMWPE composites, indicated that there was no remarkable change in melting points of composites, while crystallinity of the samples generally showed slight increase by increasing amount of nano HAp particles. The tensile test instrument was utilized to determine elastic modulus of the samples and their elastic modulus were raised from 1050 to 1900 MPa with higher HAp reinforcement. It can be concluded that UHMWPE-2 % wt. HAp composites have promising results by being paired with crystallinity and elastic modulus.