Sliding wear of PP/UHMWPE blends: effect of blend composition

In the present investigation, a wear resistant polymer, ultra high molecula r weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was melt blended with isotactic polypropylen e (PP) in different proportions. Sliding wear tests were conducted by using Cameron Plint pin-on-disc apparatus. Polymer samples in the form of the pi n were tested against EN-24 steel disc at different pressures and sliding s peeds. The wear volume of PP reduces significantly on the addition of UHMWP E. At 0.28 m/s sliding speed, wear rate of PP was 15 x 10(-12) m(3)/m which reduces to 0.28 x 10-12 m(3)/m on addition of 15 wt.% of UHMWPE. At 1.09 m /s sliding speed, PP deforms, while 15 wt.% of UHMWPE sample does not show significant deformation. Wear loss of 15 wt.% UHMWPE filled PP blend signif icantly low as compared to PP. Reduction in wear loss of UHMWPE filled PP b lend has been attributed to the reduction in temperature of contact surface . Worn surface of the test sample showed two distinct morphological regions . (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.