Study of a compatibilized ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene and polyurethane blend

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and thermoplastic polyester-type polyurethane (PU) were blended with polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MAH) added as a compatibilizer. A dual roller was used as a mixer, and all specimens were produced by the compression molding method. It was found that without compatibilizer, UHMWPE and PU were immiscible polymers and mixing PE-g-MAH reduced the size of the dispersed PU domains by a factor of 10 to reach 0.5-5 mum and caused a more uniform distribution of the PU phase in the UHMWPE matrix. Also, PE-g-MAH influenced the crystallinity of UHMWPE, increased the amorphous region in the UHMWPE phase, and improved interfacial adhesion. The threshold concentration of compatibilizer was 10 wt %, and the compatibilized UHMWPE/PU composites had improved mechanical properties and lower wear rate than the uncompatibilized composite. At some ratio points, compatibilizer composites even had better wear-resistance properties than pure UHMWPE. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.