Mechanical and tribological properties of nanocomposites formed by ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and two-dimensional materials based on carbon

• Grant number: 17/14640-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: January 01, 2018
• End date: August 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Guilhermino José Macêdo Fechine
• Grantee: Eder Henrique Coelho Ferreira
• Host Institution: Instituto Mackenzie de Pesquisas em Grafeno e Nanotecnologias (Mackgraphe). Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (UPM). Instituto Presbiteriano Mackenzie. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 12/50259-8 - Graphene: photonics and opto-electronics: UPM-NUS collaboration, AP.SPEC

Abstract

In 2004, a single layer of graphene (Gr) was isolated for the first time by micromechanical exfoliation of graphite. This material has a wide spectrum of properties providing its insertion in various fields of application. This project is inserted on field of polymer nanocomposites, specifically those obtained by the union of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and two different types of bidimensional materials (2DM) based on carbon, graphene - Gr obtained by liquid exfoliation of graphite or graphene oxide - GO obtained by chemical exfoliation of graphite. The pre-mix technique per solution is the method predominantly used to obtain the UHMWPE/GO and UHMWPE/Gr nanocomposites. Researchers have reported that nanocomposites obtained by this technique present improvements in polymer tribological properties while mechanical properties (traction and impact) suffer significant losses. The possible falls in values of mechanical properties are possibly due to the inefficient dispersion of GO and Gr particles in the polymer matrix. In the present project, to overcome this problem, the nanocomposites will be obtained by mixing in the molten state with the aid of a lubricating agent using a twin screw extruder. The objective of this work is the production of nanocomposites with high tribological properties without deterioration of the mechanical properties. The influence of the amount of the 2DM, the use of the lubricant added in the matrix and the processing parameters in the tribological properties (Wear Resistance and Friction Coefficient) and mechanical (traction and impact) properties of the nanocomposite will be evaluated. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FERREIRA, EDER H. C.; ANDRADE, RICARDO J. E.; FECHINE, GUILHERMINO J. M.. The ``Superlubricity State{''} of Carbonaceous Fillers on Polyethylene-Based Composites in a Molten State. MACROMOLECULES, v. 52, n. 24, p. 9620-9631, DEC 24 2019. (12/50259-8, 18/10910-8, 17/14640-2)

FERREIRA, EDER H. C.; ANDRADE, RICARDO J. E.; FECHINE, GUILHERMINO J. M.. The "Superlubricity State" of Carbonaceous Fillers on Polyethylene-Based Composites in a Molten State. MACROMOLECULES, v. 52, n. 24, p. 12-pg., 2019-12-24. (17/14640-2, 12/50259-8, 18/10910-8)