Tribological, Mechanical Properties, and Morphology of Polyphenylene Oxide/Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene Blends

ABSTRACT

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene-g-polystyrene was synthesized as a compatibilizer through a suspension-grafting copolymerization method. Various weight ratios of polyphenylene oxide/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene-g-polystyrene/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene blends were prepared by extruding, and mechanical properties, morphology as well as tribological behavior were investigated. Tensile strength, flexural strength, and Rockwell hardness increased with the increasing of the compatibilizer. Impact strength and antiwear properties of the blends were improved significantly by contrast to those of pure polyphenylene oxide. The polyphenylene oxide/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene-g-polystyrene/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene blend of 90/10/0 compared with other ratios as an optimum ratio. In this case, the wear volume and friction coefficient of the blend were 2.6% of PPO and 45% lower than PPO, respectively.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Blends
• compatibilization
• friction
• grafting
• mechanical properties
• wear and lubrication