Nanocomposites Based on Polytetrafluoroethylene and Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene: A Brief Review

Deficiencies in wear and frost resistance as well as mechanical strength constitute the main causes of equipment failure under the harsh climatic conditions of the Earth’s polar regions. To improve the properties of the materials used in this equipment, nanoparticle composites have been prepared from clays such as kaolinite, hectorite, and montmorillonite in combination with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). A number of techniques have been proposed to disperse silicate particles in PTFE or UHMWPE polymer matrices, and several successful processes have even been widely applied. Polymer nanocomposites that exhibit enhanced mechanical and thermal properties are promising materials for replacing metals and glass in the equipment intended for Arctic use. In this article, we will review PTFE- and UHMWPE-based layered silicate nanocomposites. KCI Citation Count: 8