Investigation of MWCNT reinforcement on the strain hardening behavior of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene

Mahfuz, H; Khan, MR; Leventouri, T; Liarokapis, E

dc.contributor.author	Mahfuz, H	en
dc.contributor.author	Khan, MR	en
dc.contributor.author	Leventouri, T	en
dc.contributor.author	Liarokapis, E	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-03-01T02:02:20Z
dc.date.available	2014-03-01T02:02:20Z
dc.date.issued	2011	en
dc.identifier.issn	16879503	en
dc.identifier.uri	https://dspace.lib.ntua.gr/xmlui/handle/123456789/29311
dc.title	Investigation of MWCNT reinforcement on the strain hardening behavior of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene	en
heal.type	journalArticle	en
heal.identifier.primary	10.1155/2011/637395	en
heal.identifier.secondary	http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/637395	en
heal.identifier.secondary	637395	en
heal.publicationDate	2011	en
heal.abstract	We have investigated strain hardening behavior of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) reinforced with 2.0wt% loading of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). A solution spinning process was used to produce neat and MWCNT-reinforced filaments of UHMWPE. Tensile tests of filaments showed 62% and 114% improvement in strength and modulus, respectively. Strain hardening tests on filaments revealed spectacular contribution by MWCNTs in enhancing strength and modulus by more than one order of magnitude. SEM micrographs showed sufficient coating of nanotube surface with the polymer that promoted interface adhesion. This intimate interfacial interaction enforced alignment of nanotubes during repeated loading-unloading sequences and allowed effective load transfer to nanotubes. Close interaction between UHMWPE and nanotubes was further evidenced by Raman spectral distribution as a positive shift in the D-band suggesting compressive stress on nanotubes by lateral compression of polymer. Nanotubes thus deformed induced the desired strain hardening ability in the UHMWPE filament. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests indicated around 15% increase in crystallinity after strain hardeningwhich together with nanotube alignment resulted in such dramatic improvement in properties. Copyright © 2011 Hassan Mahfuz et al.	en
heal.journalName	Journal of Nanotechnology	en
dc.identifier.doi	10.1155/2011/637395	en