Mechanical properties of UHMWPE composite with al2O3 for application in engineering

Abstract

In conducting the research on Material Science, two composite materials, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) powder and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) powder were formulated by hot compression molding process. The formulated materials demonstrated good mechanical properties and high wear resistance properties. Based on the studies, the Al2O3 grade selected was Al2O3 HTM 30 harboring mixed uneven powder particle sizes ranging from 2 to 5 microns (μm) and selected proportion of Al2O3 alloy mixed for improving mechanical and wear resistance properties of the UHMWPE composite material was the UHMWPE+Al2O3 HTM 30 at a ratio of 95:5%. When considering both material properties and cost effectiveness in the impact test, 2-5 μm Al2O3 HTM carried the higher impact strength than other aluminum oxide grades with the values up to 586.8 J/m at a ratio of 5% aluminum oxide. The hardness test of the 2-5 μm UHMWPE+ Al2O3 HTM delivered the hardness at 58.8 using the standard durometer. The tensile test values consisted of Yield Strength, Ultimate Tensile Strength, Breaking Strength, Elongation at Break, and Modulus of elasticity equal to 20.52 MPa, 29.96 MPa, 22.83 MPa, 265.8% and 784.46 MPa, respectively.