Assessment of bulk and surface properties of medical grade UHMWPE based nanocomposites using Nanoindentation and microtensile testing

A thrust on the enhancement of the mechanical properties of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) to enhance its longevity has taken a new direction with the advent of nanomaterials and carbon nanotubes. In the present work, UHMWPE was reinforced by chemically treated multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) at different concentrations such as 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 5 wt%. The mechanical properties of nanocomposites were studied using a Nanoindentation technique and micro-tensile testing. It is observed that the toughness, ultimate stress, fracture strain, and yield stress of medical grade UHMWPE were enhanced by 176, 93, 70, and 44%, respectively at an optimum concentration of 2 wt% MWCNTs reinforcement. The mechanism for the enhancement of mechanical properties was confirmed by the micro-Raman and calorimetric technique. The reduction of the mechanical properties of nanocomposites beyond optimum concentration of MWCNTs was confirmed by the rheological studies. The generation of microvoids on the nanocomposites was verified by the scanning electron microscopy technique. Nanoindentation characteristics revealed that the surface hardness of UHMWPE was increased by 75% by the reinforcement of 2 wt% of MWCNTs. The Young's modulus obtained at the surface of nanocomposites was observed to be 9.8% higher than that of surface layer removed sample for 2 wt% nanocomposite. It is concluded that the presence of MWCNTs enhanced the mechanical properties and surface properties of medical grade UHMWPE.