Sains Malaysiana 44(6)(2015): 819–825

 

Dry Sliding Wear Behaviour of Talc-Reinforced UHMWPE Composite for Implant Application

(Kelakuan Kehausan Kering terhadap Komposit UHMWPE Diperkuat dengan Talkum untuk Aplikasi Implan)

 

 

BOON PENG CHANG¹³*, HAZIZAN MD AKIL¹ & RAMDZIAH BT MD NASIR²

 

¹Engineering Campus,Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, 14300 Penang, Malaysia

 

²Cluster of Polymer Composite (CPC), Science and Engineering Research Centre (SERC)

Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, 14300 Penang, Malaysia

 

³School of Engineering, Science & Technology, KDU College (PG) Sdn Bhd, 32, Jalan Anson, Georgetown, 10400 Penang, Malaysia

 

 

Received: 15 January 2014/Accepted: 15 November 2014

 

ABSTRACT

 

As of today, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a thermoplastic material normally used as bearing components for human joint replacements. However, formation of wear debris from UHMWPE after certain service periods may cause adverse effects which remain as unresolved issues. In this study, mechanical and dry sliding wear properties of UHMWPE reinforced with different loading of talc particles were investigated. The wear test was carried out using Ducom TR-20 pin-on-disc tester at different pressure velocity (pv) factors under dry sliding conditions. The worn surfaces and transfer films of pure UHMWPE and talc/UHMWPE composites were observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM). The experimental results showed that the microhardness increased with the increase of talc loadings in UHMWPE. The 20 wt. % talc/UHMWPE composites showed a 17% increment in microhardness as compared with pure UHMWPE. The dry sliding wear behaviour of UHMWPE was also improved upon the reinforcement of talc. The wear rate of UHMWPE decreased after incorporation of talc particles. The coefficient of friction (COF) increased slightly under low pv conditions. At high pv conditions, the COF decreased in values with increasing talc loadings. The improvement in wear behaviour may be attributed to the increase in load-carrying capacity and surface hardness of the talc/UHMWPE composites. SEM micrographs on worn surfaces showed that plastic deformation and grooving wear were dominant for UHMWPE. The plastic deformation and grooving wear were reduced upon the reinforcement of talc particles. The talc/UHMWPE composites produced smoother and uniform transfer films as compared to pure UHMWPE.

 

Keywords: Coefficient of friction; composite; dry sliding wear; talc; UHMWPE

 

ABSTRAK

Sehingga hari ini, polietilena berat molekul ultra-tinggi (UHMWPE) adalah bahan termoplastik yang selalu digunakan sebagai peranti bearing untuk penggantian sendi manusia. Tetapi, serpihan haus yang dihasilkan daripada UHMWPE selepas tempoh perkhidmatan tertentu boleh mendatangkan kesan buruk kepada badan manusia dan ini masih merupakan satu isu yang belum diselesaikan. Dalam kajian ini, komposit UHMWPE tetulang dengan kandungan partikel talkum yang berbeza terhadap sifat-sifat mekanikal dan kehausan telah dikaji. Ujian kehausan telah dikaji dengan menggunakan penguji pin-atas-cakera Ducom TR-20 di bawah faktor tekanan dan kelajuan (pv) yang berbeza dalam keadaan gelongsoran kering. Permukaan lelasan dan filem pemindahan yang terhasil selepas ujian geseran bagi UHMWPE tulen dan komposit talkum/UHMWPE telah diperhatikan dengan menggunakan mikroskop elektron imbasan (SEM). Keputusan telah menunjukkan bahawa mikro-kekerasan UHMWPE meningkat dengan peningkatan kandungan talkum dalam komposit. Komposit 20 wt. % talkum/UHMWPE menunjukkan peningkatan mikro-kekerasan sebanyak 17% berbanding dengan UHMWPE tulen. Sifat kehausan UHMWPE juga diperbaiki setelah diperkuat dengan partikel talkum. Kadar kehausan UHMWPE didapati berkurang dengan penambahan partikel talkum. Pekali geseran (COF) didapati meningkat sedikit dalam keadaan pv yang rendah. Manakala dalam keadaan pv tinggi, pekali geseran komposit UHMWPE menurun selepas diperkuat dengan partikel talkum. Pembaikan sifat kehausan adalah disebabkan oleh peningkatan kapasiti menahan-beban dan kekerasan permukaan komposit talkum/UHMWPE. Mikrograf SEM terhadap permukaan haus menunjukkan ubahan plastik dan alur haus adalah dominan bagi UHMWPE. Deformasi plastik dan alur haus UHMWPE didapati berkurangan selepas diperkuatkan dengan partikel talkum. Komposit talkum/UHMWPE menghasilkan filem pemindahan yang lebih licin dan seragam berbanding dengan UHMWPE tulen.

 

Kata kunci: Kelakuan kehausan kering; komposit; pekali geseran; talkum;UHMWPE

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*Corresponding author; email: cbpchang@gmail.com