Effect of Al2O3 Particle Reinforcement on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of UHMWPE Composites
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Abstract
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is widely recognized for its excellent wear resistance, impact toughness, and chemical stability; however, its relatively low stiffness and thermal conductivity restrict its application in advanced engineering components. This study investigates the influence of micron-sized B-grade aluminum oxide (Al2O3) particles on the mechanical, thermal, chemical, and microstructural properties of UHMWPE composites. Composites containing 0–25 wt.% Al2O3 were fabricated through ultrasonic particle dispersion, high-speed powder homogenization, and hot compression molding. The materials were subsequently characterized using mechanical, thermal, spectroscopic, and microstructural analyses. The results demonstrated that Al2O3 reinforcement effectively enhanced the stiffness, hardness, breaking strength, and thermal conductivity of UHMWPE composites, while reducing elongation at break and impact resistance because the rigid ceramic particles restricted polymer-chain mobility. FTIR analysis confirmed that the molecular structure of UHMWPE remained unchanged after reinforcement, indicating that the improvement in properties originated primarily from physical interactions between the polymer matrix and ceramic particles. SEM observations further revealed effective particle dispersion and improved interfacial bonding at moderate filler contents, whereas localized particle agglomeration became more evident at higher loadings. The incorporation of ceramic particles significantly improved the thermal conductivity of the composites, demonstrating the effectiveness of ceramic reinforcement in enhancing heat-transfer capability. Overall, the findings confirm that controlled incorporation of Al2O3 particles provides a practical and efficient strategy for simultaneously enhancing the mechanical rigidity, thermal performance, and structural reliability of UHMWPE composites.
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ลิขสิทธ์ ของมหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีราชมงคลพระนครReferences
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