In response to the need for the reduction of micro-debris generation in artificial humanjoints for extending the service life, a novel polymer process technology, SCORIM (shear con-trolled orientation injection mouldi...In response to the need for the reduction of micro-debris generation in artificial humanjoints for extending the service life, a novel polymer process technology, SCORIM (shear con-trolled orientation injection moulding), was employed to manufacture a polyethylene compositereinforced by in-situ formed nano- and micro-fibrils. Tribological performance of a blend of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) was evalu-ated on a pin-on-disc wear machine. Results indicate a significant improvement in micro fatiguewear resistance compared with those moulded by a conventional injection moulding technology.Scanning electron microscopy reveals that a micro-fibril structure forms as an in-situ fibre rein-forced composite using SCORIM while an aggregated structure occurs in specimens moulded byconventional technology. DSC analysis shows the occurrence of a second phase: shish kebabmicrostructure using SCORIM. Transmission electron microscopy reveals the transformation ofmicrostructure from randomly orientated lamella in the specimens moulded by conventional injec-tion moulding into nano-fibril shish kebab microstructure, which results in a significant reduction inthe possibility of the initiation and development of micro-cracks parallel to the contact surfacesusing SCORIM. Consequently, the formation of nano-fibril shish kebab and micro-fibril microstruc-ture by using the novel SCORIM technology results in a significant reduction in micro-fatigue whenusing the surface normal to the direction of the orientated molecular fibril microstructure as a con-tact surface.展开更多
文摘In response to the need for the reduction of micro-debris generation in artificial humanjoints for extending the service life, a novel polymer process technology, SCORIM (shear con-trolled orientation injection moulding), was employed to manufacture a polyethylene compositereinforced by in-situ formed nano- and micro-fibrils. Tribological performance of a blend of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) was evalu-ated on a pin-on-disc wear machine. Results indicate a significant improvement in micro fatiguewear resistance compared with those moulded by a conventional injection moulding technology.Scanning electron microscopy reveals that a micro-fibril structure forms as an in-situ fibre rein-forced composite using SCORIM while an aggregated structure occurs in specimens moulded byconventional technology. DSC analysis shows the occurrence of a second phase: shish kebabmicrostructure using SCORIM. Transmission electron microscopy reveals the transformation ofmicrostructure from randomly orientated lamella in the specimens moulded by conventional injec-tion moulding into nano-fibril shish kebab microstructure, which results in a significant reduction inthe possibility of the initiation and development of micro-cracks parallel to the contact surfacesusing SCORIM. Consequently, the formation of nano-fibril shish kebab and micro-fibril microstruc-ture by using the novel SCORIM technology results in a significant reduction in micro-fatigue whenusing the surface normal to the direction of the orientated molecular fibril microstructure as a con-tact surface.
