Surface modification of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. II. Effect on the physicomechanical and tribological properties of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) composites

Abstract

We performed surface modification of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) through chromic acid etching, with the aim of improving the performance of its composites with polyethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers. In this article, we report on the morphology and physicomechanical and tribological properties of modified UHMWPE/PET composites. Composites containing chemically modified UHMWPE had higher impact properties than those based on unmodified UHMWPE because of improved interfacial bonding between the polymer matrix and the fibers and better dispersion of the fibers within the modified UHM WPE matrix. Chemical modification of UHMWPE before the introduction of PET fibers resulted in composites exhibiting improved wear resistance compared to the base material and compared to unmodified UHMWPE/PET composites. On the basis of the morphological studies of worn samples, microploughing and fatigue failure associated with microcracking were identified as the principle wear mechanisms. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.