Non-isothermal melting and crystallization behavior of UHMWPE/SCF/nano-SiO2 hybrid composites

The non-isothermal crystallization and melting behavior of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene reinforced with short carbon fibers (SCFs) and nano-SiO2 particles were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry. The melting tests were conducted at the cooling rates of 10, 20 and 30 A degrees C min(-1) prior to heating at the rate of 10 A degrees C min(-1). Melting peak temperatures increased by the incorporation of SCFs and remained almost constant by adding nano-SiO2 particles. The crystallization tests were performed at the cooling rates of 10, 20, 30 and 40 A degrees C min(-1). Ozawa-Avrami model was proved the best model to describe the kinetics of the composites. SCFs increased the absolute crystallinity of the neat polymer; however, adding various amounts of nano-SiO2 leaded to a decrease in the absolute crystallinity.