Effect of Hybrid Fillers on the Thermal Properties of UHMWPE/Chitosan-ZnO Composites

Abstract

In this work, UHMWPE reinforced composites containing hybrid zinc oxide (ZnO) and chitosan particles were prepared via the hot compression technique. The effect of ZnO contents (10, 20, 30 wt.%) and chitosan contents (1, 2, 3 wt.%) on the thermal properties of UHMWPE/ZnO and UHMWPE/Chitosan-ZnO reinforced composites were successfully investigated using DSC and TGA analysis, respectively. Based on DSC results, both UHMWPE/ZnO and hybrid composites did not record significant changes in the melting temperatures (Tm). The heat fusion enthalpy (Hm) and degree of crystallinity (Xc) of hybrid composites were found to be higher than UHMWPE/ZnO composites. As the TGA results shown, hybrid composites were also found to have higher thermal stability than UHMWPE/ZnO composites at 10 % and 50 % weight loss level. Overall, the UHMWPE/ZnO + 3 wt.% Chitosan hybrid reinforced composite recorded comparable mechanical properties and better thermal properties than neat UHMWPE.