Structural, Tribological, and Mechanical Properties of UHMWPE /Clinoptilolite Biocomposite

The structural, mechanical and tribological properties of UHMWPE reinforced with clinoptilolite microparticules (Clino) at various concentrations (0%, 5%, 10%, and 20%), under dry sliding, were investigated. The biocomposites were processed by compression moulding and their microstructure was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Friction and wear tests were performed against M30NW stainless steel using a reciprocating pin‐on‐disc tribometer. The wear morphology was evaluated by the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Rockwell hardness was used to investigate the mechanical properties of the biocomposites. Results showed that crystallinity, hardness and wear resistance of all biocomposites were improved compared to neat UHMWPE. SEM micrographs revealed an improvement in the wear behaviour by adding clinoptilolite in UHMWPE. It was found that, the 10 wt.% clinoptilolite biocomposite exhibited the best wear behaviour.