Tribomechanical characteristics of UHMWPE carbon composites under various triboloading conditions

Mechanical and tribotechnical properties of UHMWPE composites filled with carbon fibers of various dimensions (nanometer, micrometer and millimeter) under various loads and sliding velocities (60 N × 0.3 m/s, 60 N × 0.5 m/s, 140 N × 0.3 m/s, 140 N × 0.5 m/s) were studied. It is shown that at the moderate triboloading conditions (60 N × 0.3 m/s) the nanofibers are most efficient fillers in the sense of providing highest wear resistance that is governed by their action as solid lubricant (wear resistance increases by 2.7 times). Under the severe tribotesting conditions (140 N × 0.5 m/s) long carbon fibers (l = 2 mm) exhibit highest efficiency since they bear the action of the compressive and shearing loads from the counterbody. In doing so, they protect the polymer composite surface from intense wear ensuring doubling of the wear resistance.