Skip to main content

High abrasive wear resistance polyethylene blends: an adapted Ratner–Lancaster correlation

Polymer Bulletin volume 79, pages 3631–3648 (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is one of the polymers with the best abrasive wear performance that exists, being used in engineering applications where this property is required. Despite its excellent property, UHMWPE still performs poorly in many applications. Therefore, the development of new materials with better properties is always very desirable. In this study, it is presented for the first time that it is possible to obtain polyethylene blends with better wear performance than UHMWPE. Linear polyethylenes, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE) and UHMWPE, and blends, HMWPE-UHMWPE (10, 20 and 40 wt%), and HDPE-UHMWPE (20 and 40 wt%), have been studied here. The study was developed based on the correlation between the tensile test and the wear test of these materials. In 1968, Lancaster suggested that the abrasive wear resistance of polymers is strongly related to the product between the stress and strain at breaking obtained from the tensile test. This correlation is known as the Ratner–Lancaster correlation. Although this correlation is suitable for many polymers, it is not suitable for all. HDPE, HMWPE, and UHMWPE are examples of polymers where this correlation is not suitable. With the knowledge that the amorphous phase of polymers is responsible for wear resistance and ultimate tensile properties, a new and more suitable correlation for linear polyethylenes is suggested in this study. This correlation shows that the hardening modulus must be included as a factor to predict the abrasive wear resistance. The blends of HMWPE containing 10 and 20 wt% of UHMWPE showed volumetric loss after the wear test of 47.0 and 45.2 mm3, respectively, while UHMWPE presented a higher volumetric loss, of 55.7 mm3. The excellent performance of the blends was possibly due to a better understanding of the correlation between the tensile and abrasive tests proposed in this study.

Graphic abstract

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

References

  1. Lancaster JK (1968) Relationships between the wear of polymers and their mechanical properties. Proc Inst Mech Eng Conf Proc 183:98–106

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Galetz MC, Blaβ T, Ruckdaschel H, Sandler JKW, Altstadt V, Glatzel U (2007) Carbon nanofibre-reinforced ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene for tribological applications. J Appl Polym Sci 104:4173–4181. https://doi.org/10.1002/app

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Liu F, Wang Y, Li K, Jiang L, Wang X, Shao X, Zhang B, Cui F (2015) Graphene oxide/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene composites: ball-milling preparation mechanical performance and biocompatibility effects. Am J Phys 1:51–57

    Google Scholar 

  4. Khruschov MM (1974) Principles of abrasive wear. Wear 28:69–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/0043-1648(74)90102-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Kanagaraj S, Varanda FR, Zhil’tsova TV, Oliveira MSA, Simões JAO (2007) Mechanical properties of high density polyethylene/carbon nanotube composites. Compos Sci Technol 67:3071–3077. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2007.04.024

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Srinath G, Gnanamoorthy R (2006) Two-body abrasive wear characteristics of Nylon clay nanocomposites-effect of grit size, load, and sliding velocity. Mater Sci Eng A. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2006.07.117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Morioka Y, Tsuchiya Y, Shioya M (2015) Correlations between the abrasive wear, fatigue, and tensile properties of filler-dispersed polyamide 6. Wear. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2015.07.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Kurtz SM (2004) The UHMWPE handbook: ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene in total joint replacement. Elsevier, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  9. Puértolas JA, Kurtz SM (2014) Evaluation of carbon nanotubes and graphene as reinforcements for UHMWPE-based composites in arthroplastic applications: a review. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 39:129–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2014.06.013

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Xu S, Tangpong XW (2013) Review: tribological behavior of polyethylene-based nanocomposites. J Mater Sci 48:578–597. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-012-6844-x

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Ferreira EHC, Fechine GJM (2020) Healing phenomenon adapted to understand the miscibility of polymer blends: an approach based on the deformation mechanism. J Appl Polym Sci. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.49604

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. ASTM D 3417-99 (1999) Standard test method for enthalpies of fusion and crystallization of polymers by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) (Withdrawn 2004). ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA

  13. ASTM D638-14 (2014) Standard test method for tensile properties of plastics. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. www.astm.org, n.d.

  14. ISO 4649:2017 Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic: determination of abrasion resistance using a rotating cylindrical drum device, n.d.

  15. Lucas ADA, Ambrósio JD, Otaguro H, Costa LC, Agnelli JAM (2011) Abrasive wear of HDPE/UHMWPE blends. Wear 270:576–583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2011.01.011

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Sheldon RP (1963) Density and degree of crystallinity in polymers. J Polym Sci B Polym Lett 1:655–657. https://doi.org/10.1002/pol.1963.110011202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Bower DI (2003) An introduction to polymer physics. Am J Phys. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1533063

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Špitalský Z, Bleha T (2003) Elastic moduli of highly stretched tie molecules in solid polyethylene. Polymer (Guildf) 44:1603–1611. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0032-3861(02)00908-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Seguela R (2005) Critical review of the molecular topology of semicrystalline polymers: the origin and assessment of intercrystalline tie molecules and chain entanglements. J Polym Sci B Polym Phys 43:1729–1748. https://doi.org/10.1002/polb.20414

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Fan Z, Wang Y, Bu H (2003) Influence of intermolecular entanglements on crystallization behavior of ultra-high molar mass polyethylene. Polym Eng Sci 43:607–614

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Dimarzio EA, Guttman CM, Hoffman JD (1979) Is crystallization from the melt controlled by melt viscosity and entanglement effects? Faraday Discuss Chem Soc 68:210–2017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Bracco P, Bellare A, Bistolfi A, Affatato S (2017) Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene: influence of the chemical, physical and mechanical properties on thewear behavior a review. Mater (Basel). https://doi.org/10.3390/ma10070791

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Brown HR, Russell TP (1996) Entanglements at polymer surfaces and interfaces. Macromolecules 29:798–800. https://doi.org/10.1021/ma951123k

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Bartczak Z (2017) Deformation of semicrystalline polymers: the contribution of crystalline and amorphous phases. Polimery 62:787–799. https://doi.org/10.14314/polimery.2017.787

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Egan BJ, Delatycki O (1995) The morphology, chain structure and fracture behaviour of high-density polyethylene: part I fracture at a constant rate of deflection. J Mater Sci 30:3307–3318. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00349874

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Klapperich C, Komvopoulos K, Pruitt L (1999) Tribological properties and microstructure evolution of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. J Tribol 121:394–402. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2833952

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Tervoort TA, Visjager J, Smith P (2002) On abrasive wear of polyethylene. Macromolecules 35:8467–8471. https://doi.org/10.1021/ma020579g

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Galetz MC, Glatzel U (2010) Molecular deformation mechanisms in UHMWPE during tribological loading in artificial joints. Tribol Lett 38:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11249-009-9563-y

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Crist B, Fisher CJ, Howard PR (1989) Mechanical properties of model polyethylenes: tensile elastic modulus and yield stress. Macromolecules 22:1709–1718. https://doi.org/10.1021/ma00194a035

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Galeski A (2003) Strength and toughness of crystalline polymer systems. Prog Polym Sci 28:1643–1699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2003.09.003

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Bowden PB, Young RJ (1974) Deformation mechanisms in crystalline polymers. J Mater Sci 9:2034–2051. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00540553

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Bartczak Z, Kozanecki M (2005) Influence of molecular parameters on high-strain deformation of polyethylene in the plane-strain compression. Part II. Strain recovery. Polym (Guildf) 46:10339–10354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2005.07.096

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Friedrich K (1983) Crazes and shear bands in semi-crystalline thermoplastics. Adv Polym Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0024059

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Kausch H-H, Gensler R, Grein C, Plummer CJG, Scaramuzzino P (1999) Crazing in semicrystalline thermoplastics. J Macromol Sci B Phys 38:803–815. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222349908248140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Scharauwen BAG (2003) Deformation and failure of semi-crystalline polymer systems: influence of micro and molecular structure. Tech Univ Eindhoven

  36. Pawlak A (2014) Plastic deformation and cavitation in semicrystalline polymers studied by X-ray methods. Polimery 59:533–541. https://doi.org/10.14314/polimery.2014.533

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Pawlak A, Gałeski A (2011) Cavitation during tensile drawing of semicrystalline polymers. Polimery 56:627–636. https://doi.org/10.1021/ma201090z

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Pawlak A, Galeski A (2008) Cavitation during tensile deformation of polypropylene. Macromolecules 41:2839–2851

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Chan C, Wu J, Li J, Cheung Y (2002) Polypropylene/calcium carbonate nanocomposites. Polym (Guildf) 43:2981–2992

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Briscoe BJ, Sinha SK (2013) Tribological applications of polymers and their composites: past, present and future prospects. In: Friedrich K, Schlarb AK (eds) Trybology polymer nanocomposites, pp 1–14. Elsevier, Amsterdam doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S1572-3364(08)55001-4.

  41. Xue Y, Wu W, Jacobs O, Scha B (2006) Tribological behaviour of UHMWPE/HDPE blends reinforced with multi-wall carbon nanotubes. Polym Test 25:221–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2005.10.005

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa de São Paulo (FAPESP) for the grants 2018/10910-8 and 2019/13416-7. The authors also thank Braskem for the supply of polymers. The correspondent author also has a researcher scholarship supported by CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico), grant 307665/2018–6. The authors are grateful to Mrs Camilla Thais de Meneses Coelho for the images for the Graphic Review.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mackenzie Institute for Research in Graphene and Nanotechnologies – MackGraphe, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, Rua da Consolação 896, Sao Paulo, SP, 01302-907, Brazil

    Eder H. C. Ferreira & Guilhermino J. M. Fechine

Authors
  1. Eder H. C. Ferreira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Guilhermino J. M. Fechine
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guilhermino J. M. Fechine.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

HDPE, HMWPE, UHMWPE and blends DSC curves and the crystallinity degree calculated from the DSC analyses. Tensile toughness and volumetric loss results of the HMWPE, HMWPE-UHMWPE (10, 20 and 40 wt%) blends, and UHMWPE SEM images of cryogenic fracture surfaces of HMWPE-UHMWPE (20 wt%) blend. Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 1242 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ferreira, E.H.C., Fechine, G.J.M. High abrasive wear resistance polyethylene blends: an adapted Ratner–Lancaster correlation. Polym. Bull. 79, 3631–3648 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-021-03680-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-021-03680-3

Keywords

  • UHMWPE
  • Abrasive wear performance
  • Linear polyethylenes
  • Polyethylene blends
  • Ratner-Lancaster correlation