The mechanical properties of the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) modified by oxygen plasma

In this work, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was modified with oxygen plasma generated by microwave electron cyclotron resonance (ECR). Surface microstructure and properties of UHMWPE were studied by means of water contact angle measurement, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scratch test and wear test. The results showed that O2 plasma treatment could effectively improve the wettability, anti-scratch and tribological properties of UHMWPE. Many oxygen-based functional groups generated on the surface of the O2 plasma modified UHMWPE, which resulted in the improvement of wettability. The plasma treatment process increased the crosslinking of UHMWPE molecular chains, which further enhanced the action force between the molecular chains and finally increased the surface hardness, anti-scratch capacity and tribological properties of UHMWPE.