Nanotribological behavior of graphene nanoplatelet reinforced ultra high molecular weight polyethylene composites

Nano-scratch behavior of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) reinforced with graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) in varying composition of 0, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 wt% is reported. Hot pressed composite structures are characterized for their tribological behavior in scratch mode using a normal load of 100-300 μN. Increasing GNP content from 0.1 to 1 wt% results in lowering of the coefficient of friction due to easy shear of graphene nanoplatelets. Graphene reinforcement also increases the wear resistance by more than four times, which is a combined effect of lubrication as well as toughening offered by GNPs.