The Influence of Brominated UHMWPE on the Tribological Characteristics and Wear of Polymeric Nanocomposites Based on UHMWPE and Nanoparticles

Abstract

Tribological tests of polymeric composite materials based on UHMWPE modified with inorganic nanoparticles and brominated UHMWPE as a functional alloying element have been performed in order to establish their effect on the interphase interactions in a UHMWPE/nanoparticles system. The wear resistance of the polymer with brominated UHMWPE is shown to be 8–10 times higher than that of the initial polymer, most likely due to the formation of dissipative structures on the polymer surface, which are formed by the chemical and adhesive cross-linking of nanoparticles and tribodecay products.