Tribological and Physicochemical Analysis of Squid Pen High-density Polyethylene Biocomposite for Medical Application

High-Density Polyethylene(HDPE)wear debris generated in the hip joint prothesis leads to its loosening.The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of Squid Pen(SP)on the tribological and physicochemical properties of HDPE matrix.Biocomposites filled with 0,5,10,15 and 20 wt.%SP were elaborated by hot compression molding.Wear tests were carried out using a reciprocating pin-on-disc tribometer.Rockwell hardness,Fourier-Transform infra-red(FTIR)analysis,Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM)of the biocomposite were analysed.FTIR analysis results of the biocomposites showed that an increase in the crystallinity rate was obtained with the addition of SP filler.Only 10 wt.%of SP has a significant effect on the hardness of the composite.The correlation between the friction coefficient and the wear resistance of the composite was investigated.The 5 wt.%SP-HDPE biocomposite has the lowest friction coefficient value with a decrease in the specific wear rate,compared to the unfilled HDPE.The SEM results showed that SP wear debris played an important role as a third roller body at the interface reducing the friction coefficient of the composite.It was concluded that the HDPE biocomposite could be successfully reinforced with 5 wt.%of SP.