EFFECT OF GRAPHITE ADDITION ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF UHMWPE FOR USE AS TIBIA INSERT BIOCOMPOSITE MATERIALS
Keywords:
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), graphite, biocomposites, mechanical propertiesAbstract
In this work, graphite was used as a filler material for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) to prepare graphite/UHMWPE composites for a potential alternative tibia insert for total knee replacement, because graphite has been shown to have excellent solid lubrication and biocompatibility. Graphite powder was blended with 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt% into the UHMWPE matrix. Then, it was compression molded at 250ºC for 30 minutes under a pressure of 10 MPa. The mechanical and tribological properties, and the coefficient of the friction of the composite samples were investigated. As the results show, the highest hardness (Shore D) of 62.31, the highest impact strength of 78.51 kJ/m2, and the highest coefficient of friction were obtained with 5 wt% graphite, while the lowest coefficient of friction was obtained with 20 wt% graphite. It can be concluded that the graphite/UHMWPE biocomposites displayed a remarkable combination of enhanced mechanical properties such as hardness, wear resistance, impact strength, and coefficient of friction making the composites attractive potential candidates as a tibia insert for artificial joints in the human body.
References
Baena, J.C., Wu. J., and Peng, Z. (2015). Wear performance of UHMWPE and reinforced composites in arthroplasty applications: a review. Lubricants, 3:413-436.
Budinski, K.G. (1997). Resistance to particle abrasion of selected plastics. Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Wear of Materials; April 20-23, 1997; San Diego, CA, USA, 203- 204:302-309.
Difallah, B.B., Kharrat M., Dammaka M., and Monteil, G. (2012). Mechanical and tribological response of ABS polymer matrix filled with graphite powder. Mater. Design., 34(6):782-787.
Lahiri, D., Hec, F., Thiesse, M., Durygin, A., Zhang, C., and Agarwal, A. (2014). Nanotribological behavior of graphene nanoplatelet reinforced ultra high molecular weight polyethylene composites. Tribol. Int., 70:165-169.
Pearle, A.D., Warren, R.F., and Rodeo, S.A. (2005). Basic science of articular cartilage and osteoarthritis. Clin. Sport. Med., 24:1-12.
Plumlee, K. (2008). Improved performance of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene for orthopedic applications. [MSc. thesis]. School of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Texas A&M University. College Station, TX, USA, 67p.
Shi, W., Li, X., and Dong, H. (2004). Preliminary investigation into the load bearing capacity of ion beam surface modified UHMWPE. J. Mater. Sci., 39:3183-3186.
Suresha, B., Chandramohan G., Renukappa, M.N., and Hatna, S. (2007). Mechanical and tribological properties of glassepoxy composites with and without graphite particulate filler. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 103:2472-2480
Wang, Q., Zhang, X., and Pei, X. (2010). Study on the synergistic effect of carbon fiber and graphite and nanoparticle on the friction and wear behavior of polyimide composites. Mater. Design., 31:3761-3768.
Zouari, M., Kharrat, M., and Dammak, M. (2010). Wear and friction analysis of polyester coatings with solid lubricant. Surf. Coat. Tech., 204:2593-2599.
