Mechanical properties UHMWPE/alumina nanofibers nanocomposite

We study the effect of a new dielectric filler – alumina nanofibers (ANF) on the mechanical properties of ultra-high molecular weight polyethelene (UHMWPE). It was shown that the combination of powder granules and alumina nanofibers in the process of solvent evaporation helps to distribute uniformly the powder particles over the surface. The effect of the process of mechanical activation on the mechanical properties of the UHMWPE/ANF nanocomposite was studied. Increasing the concentration of the ANF additive from 0.01 wt. % to 1 wt. % helps to uniformly increase the tensile strength and microhardness of the nanocomposites. It is shown that the addition of alumina nanofibers in an amount of 1 wt. % leads to a simultaneous increase in tensile strength by ~42.5 % and microhardness by ~71% in comparison with pure UHMWPE.