The effect of ball milling time and rotational speed on ultra high molecular weight polyethylene reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were produced using planetary ball milling. The aim was to develop a more wear resistant composite with improved mechanical properties to be used in stress bearing joints. The effect of manufacturing parameters such as the effect of ball milling time and rotational speed on the final composite was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), particle size distribution, and contact angle measurements. Ball milling as a mixing technique for UHMWPE based composites is not a new approach but yet, the effect of time, rotational speed, loading of milling jar, and type of ball mill has not been reported properly for UHMWPE. Composites with 0.5 and 1.0 wt% UHMWPE/MWCNTs were manufactured with different rotational speed and mixing times. The results indicate that rotational speed rather than mixing time is important for dispersing MWCNTs using planetary ball milling. Tensile test showed a slight decrease for the MWCNT concentration of 1 wt% suggesting that this amount is the threshold for a satisfactory distribution of the fillers in the matrix. POLYM. COMPOS. 37:1128–1136, 2016.