Comparative study of micro- and nano-ZnO reinforced UHMWPE composites under dry sliding wear

► The reinforcing of both micro- and nano-ZnO improves UHMWPE wear properties. ► Nano-ZnO/UHMWPE possess better wear behaviour compared to micro-ZnO/UHMWPE. ► The optimum filler loading of nano-ZnO/UHMWPE is found to be 10 wt%. ► The friction coefficient for ZnO/UHMWPE was found to be comparable to pure UHMWPE.