Comparison of Elastic Modulus of MWCNT Polyethylene Composites using Nanoindentation and Macromechanical Analysis

Abstract

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been in use as an articulating surface in total joint replacements. However, there are critical problems like reduced longevity owing to high activity on the hip joint. In the present study, UHMWPE is reinforced with MWCNTs at different concentration by physical blending using ball milling technique. The samples were obtained using a compression moulding machine, which were used for study under nanoindenter to obtain the elastic modulus. The MWCNTs were randomly oriented and the obtained values of elastic modulus of the composites were compared with that of analytical models like Halpin-Tsai model. The elastic properties of the composites were then analytically estimated for different orientations of carbon nanotubes such as 0o, 15o, 30o, 45o, 60o, 75o, and 90o at different volume fractions upto 0.5 %. Different properties like elastic modulus in x and y direction, Poisson’s ratio, in-plane shear modulus and shear coupling coefficients were also calculated and plotted.