Ice friction of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene: The effects of fluorine additives and plasma (PECVD) treatment

Various new polymer additives were blended into ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in order to examine their effects on ice friction. A certain type of a new liquid perfluoropolyalkylether was proven to improve the surface and sliding characteristics of UHMWPE on ice. It was shown for the first time that an optimum amount of additive (about 2.5 wt%) reduces the ice friction coefficient significantly at temperatures greater than −7 °C. Moreover, plasma chemical vapour deposition of UHMWPE under a fluorinated gas was also utilized to examine its effect on its surface and sliding characteristics. This treatment increased the static water contact angle, from 85° to 138° and decreased the friction coefficient to about 25% at the highest sliding velocity of 1.96 m/s.

► A new fixture has been designed and used with a rotational rheometer for friction measurements.
► The effects of superhydrophobicity on ice friction are studied.
► An effective additive was discovered for UHMWPE that reduces its friction with ice significantly.
► A plasma method was applied to UHMWPE surfaces and found that wettability and friction with ice reduces.