Document Type : Original Article
Authors
Production Technology Dept., Faculty of Technology and Education, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, EGYPT.
Abstract
The current study aims to introduce novel nanocomposites consisted of polymeric dual-matrix, polytetrafluorethylene/polyamide12 (PTFE/PA12), reinforced with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) for prosthetics applications. PA12 content to polymeric dual-matrix was 5, 10, 15, and 20 weight fraction (wt. %). Also, ZnO NPs, which were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), were filled into the dual-matrix of PTFE/PA12 by 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt. %. All the present nanocomposites were fabricated by a hot-pressing technique. Compression, microhardness, wear, and friction tests were performed to study the mechanical and tribological properties of all the fabricated nanocomposites. After the wear test, worn surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) to emphasize the occurred wear mechanism.
Experimental results revealed that the optimum content of PA12 and ZnO NPs into proposed nanocomposites were 15 and 1 wt. %, respectively. Consequently, elastic modulus, compressive yield strength, Vickers hardness number (VHN), wear rate and friction coefficient of PTFE/15 wt. % PA12, as a dual-matrix, were enhanced by 125.48, 70.88, 81.68, 57.27, and 54.16 %, respectively compared to pure PTFE. Also, elastic modulus, compression yield strength, VHN, wear rate, and friction coefficient of the proposed PTFE/15 wt. %/1 wt. % ZnO NPs composite showed significant improvements by 51.58, 58.59, 50.86, 73.91, and 44.63%, respectively compared to the pure dual-matrix. Worn surfaces of the proposed composites proved that a significant enhancement was observed compared to the other worn surfaces. According to that, the proposed nanocomposites of PTFE/15 wt. % PA12/1 wt. % ZnO NPs are considered as a suitable choice for prosthetic applications.
Keywords
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