Experimental-theoretical design of multicomponent UHMWPE composites with prescribed mechanical and tribotechnical properties

In contrast with neat polymers, filled polymeric composites of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) are certainly more efficient in manufacturing industrial products (for instance, when reinforcing fibers are loaded). An experimental-theoretical technique for designing a polymer composite with specified properties is discussed in the paper. An approach to determine control parameters (phase composition, physical and mechanical properties, etc.) in order to design a composite with prescribed effective properties or providing them within a predetermined range is proposed. With the use of the approach based on the experimental data analysis in concern of effective characteristics versus the values of the control parameters, corresponding response surfaces of the physical-mechanical characteristics are constructed in the space of states. This allows one to determine the correct and reachable values of the control parameters. The calculated response surfaces make it possible to reveal the range of values of control parameters for specified characteristics of multicomponent reinforced extrudable UHMWPE polymer composites.