Preparation and characterization of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene composites with high content of multiwall carbon nanotubes

Abstract In order to obtain the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites with high conductivity and mechanical property, an effective route of solution mixing and followed by hot‐pressing was investigated for UHMWPE composites with high content of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The effect of MWCNT contents on the crystallization and melting behavior, crystal structure, electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties of MWCNT/UHMWPE composites was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, four‐probe measurement configuration, X‐ray diffraction, and universal testing machine, respectively. The effect of MWCNTs on crystallization temperatures of UHMWPE is discussed by the heterogeneous nucleation of MWCNTs and the restriction of the macromolecular chain motion of UHMWPE by MWCNTs. The electrical conductivity of UHMWPE is significantly increased with increasing of MWCNT contents and the UHMWPE composite with the conductivity of 5649 S m⁻¹ can be obtained at the MWCNT content of 60 wt%. The influence of MWCNTs on tensile strength and modulus of UHMWPE composites is explained by the reinforce effect of MWCNTs and the lower content of UHMWPE not enough to support the structure of composites.