Physics

Organic chemistry

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene

Thermogravimetric analysis

Nanocomposite

Composite number

Optics

Engineering

Composite material

Raw material

Tribology

Chemistry

Metallurgy

Materials science

Scanning electron microscope

Wollastonite

Polyethylene

Raman spectroscopy

Chemical engineering

Autoclave

Polymer

Polymers

This paper studied the effect of additives of 0.5–20 wt.% synthetic CaSiO3 wollastonite on the thermodynamic, mechanical, and tribological characteristics and structure of polymer composite materials (PCM) based on ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Using thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscope, and laser light diffraction methods, it was shown that autoclave synthesis in the multicomponent system CaSO4·2H2O–SiO2·nH2O–KOH–H2O allows one to obtain neeindle-shaped nanosized CaSiO3 particles. It was shown that synthetic wollastonite is an effective filler of UHMWPE, which can significantly increase the deformation-strength and tribological characteristics of PCM. The active participation of wollastonite in tribochemical reactions occurring during friction of PCM by infrared spectroscopy was detected: new peaks related to oxygen-containing functional groups (hydroxyl and carbonyl) appeared. The developed UHMWPE/CaSiO3 materials have high wear resistance and can be used as triboengineering materials.

UHMWPE/CaSiO3 Nanocomposite: Mechanical and Tribological Properties