Study On Friction And Wear Characteristics And Mechanisms Of UHMWPE/Kaolin Composites

UHMWPE/Kaolin composites were developed by polymerization-filling and melt mixing. The difference of crystallization behavior, structural and mechanical properties of the two kinds of UHMWPE/Kaolin composites with the same constituents was compared and discussed. The friction and wear characteristics of the two kinds of UHMWPE/Kaolin composites were studied in sliding wear and in erosion wear respectively. The optimum kaolin content which makes UHMWPE/Kaolin composites have the lowest friction and wear was put forward. The friction and wear mechanisms of UHMWPE/Kaolin composites were presented both in sliding wear against steel 45 with and without lubrication and in erosion wear with the sand slurry. The physical models of wear process for sliding wear and erosion wear were built up. The effects of structure and mechanical properties of UHMWPE/Kaolin composites and friction temperature on their friction and wear behavior were investigated. It was found that UHMWPE/Kaolin composites with certain content of kaolin prepared by polymerization-filling have much better friction and wear properties than UHMWPE/Kaolin composites prepared by melt mixing or UHMWPE. It is prospective that the polymerization-filling UHMWPE/Kaolin composites are widely used in engineering.