This work aimed at providing a suitable method for preparing the cross‐linked ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). First, UHMWPE was grafted with a silane compound using organic peroxide as an initiator in the molten state. Then, cross‐linking was performed by compression molding of the mixture of the silane‐grafted UHMWPE and CaC2O4·H2O. Water released from CaC2O4·H2O made the silane‐grafted UHMWPE cross‐link. In particular, no catalyst was added in the cross‐linking step. Fourier Transform Infrared results confirmed that the silane has been grafted onto the UHMWPE chain successfully and the grafting index varied with the dosage of the initiator. With the increasing of CaC2O4·H2O content, the gel ratio increased and average molecular weight of the cross‐linked UHMWPE decreased, which proved that the cross‐linked UHMWPE can be prepared by this method. Moreover, there existed different cross‐linked network structures (loose and tight networks) in the samples with the same gel ratio.
In this article, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) microporous membranes with excellent tensile strength and good wear durability were successfully fabricated by the addition of nano-alumina (Al2O3). The friction and mechanical behavior of PTFE microporous membranes with different nano-Al2O3 contents were investigated by Martindale abrasion tester, dynamic mechanical analysis, and universal testing machine. Scanning electron microscopy was applied to analyze the surface, longitudinal section, and worn surface of the microporous membranes. Results demonstrated that nano-Al2O3 particles were dispersed into the “node” structures of PTFE microporous membranes and acted as the skeleton, leading to the increasing of the tensile strength remarkably. The wear rate reduced significantly with the addition of nano-Al2O3 and was affected by nano-Al2O3 content. Additionally, the wear mechanism of the microporous membranes was also discussed based on the study results.
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