Tribo‐material based on a UHMWPE/RGOC biocomposite for using in artificial joints

Abstract

Reduced graphene oxide (RGOC) filler that was green synthesized by vitamin C had been included in the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) matrix to produce biocomposite possessing improved properties especially against wear. The biocomposites filled with different loading (0.1, 0.3, 1.0, and 2.0 wt%) of RGOC was produced by a method of liquid phase ultrasonic mixing and then hot press molding. The structural analysis results of biocomposites showed that RGOC well‐dispersed in polymer matrix and confirmed that there was interaction between the RGOC‐UHMWPE. The biocomposite containing 2.0 wt% RGOC (UHMWPE/RGOC‐2) gave the maximum microhardness and the value increased by 22. 5% compared with unfilled polymer. At the same RGOC content, the biocomposite had the highest thermal stability with residue content at 2.42%. The wear and friction behavior of biocomposites were carried out in a reciprocating friction testing machine under distilled water lubricating conditions. The UHMWPE/RGOC‐2 biocomposite had the lowest friction coefficient value (0.034) and the wear rate of the biocomposite decreased by 44%, compared with that of unfilled UHMWPE. Furthermore, fatigue wear tracks were significantly reduced. This study suggests the use of this composite that had excellent tribological behavior as biomaterial instead of UHMWPE.

Enhancement of mechanical properties of ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene nanocomposites without losing thermal stability

“…This fact indicates that any possible interactions between the crystalline phases of the polymer matrix and the nanoparticles were not enough to modify the crystalline structure of the polymeric matrix. This behavior was already observed for UHMWPE nanocomposites 4,11,30,35,38,43 and could be understood with optical microscopy images (Figure 6).…”

“…The bands at 2915 and 2847 cm −1 are assigned as CH 2 asymmetric and symmetric stretching vibrations, respectively. The band at 1461 cm −1 corresponds to CH 2 bending vibrations, and the band at 718 cm −1 indicates the rocking vibration due to the high degree of polymerization and long molecular chain of UHMWPE 4,38 …”

“…The band at 1461 cm À1 corresponds to CH 2 bending vibrations, and the band at 718 cm À1 indicates the rocking vibration due to the high degree of polymerization and long molecular chain of UHMWPE. 4,38 Despite the main characteristic bands related to UHMWPE seen in all the FTIR spectra, a detailed analysis (Figure 4) could evidence some bands related to the additives in the polymer material. In Figure 4a, a band at 1206 cm À1 is seen, related to the C O group vibration of the antioxidant species.…”

Chemically expanded graphite-based ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical properties

“…10. The results show that for 5 wt % MPS-CEG, the wear rate was reduced by 99%, which is notably higher than the reduction obtained using GO or rGO [56,57]. For the 5 wt% CEG, this reduction was less significant at 83%.…”

Preparation, characterization, and feasibility study of Sr/Zn-doped CPP/GNS/UHMWPE composites as an artificial joint component with enhanced hardness, impact strength, tribological and biological performance

“… 8 Mindivan et al used reduced graphene oxide (RGOC) to enhance UHMWPE by liquid phase ultrasonic mixing and hot press molding, and RGOC/UHMWPE showed excellent tribological behavior as a bio-material. 9 Chen et al used grapheme oxide (GO) to prepare GO/NaCl/UHMWPE by hot pressing and the anti-friction and anti-wear properties of GO/NaCl/UHMWPE were improved with the water-based lubrication. 10 Zhipeng Gu et al used Sr-doped calcium polyphosphate (SCPP) as a filler to prepare SCPP/UHMWPE composites, and the composite with a suitable SCPP content had potential efficacy to prevent and treat aseptic loosening.…”