Abstract
This is a study between ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) reinforced with zinc oxide (ZnO) under various filler loadings. These composites were then incorporated with chitosan for hybridization purposes. All composite specimens were prepared by using a hot compression mold through dry ball milling process. Wear and tensile tests were carried out using specific experimental techniques namely pin on disc method as well as universal testing machine, respectively. Results indicated that the addition of ZnO filler up to optimum percentage (12 wt%) has significantly increase the wear resistance of tested composites, in accordance with the minimal weight loss. Contrary, the incorporation of chitosan (1, 2, 3 wt%) in the optimum percentage (12 wt%) of UHMWPE/ZnO composites has slightly reduced the wear resistance of the hybrid composites. For the tensile properties point of view, the results indicated that the yield strength, tensile strength and Young modulus were perpendicularly increased with increasing of ZnO filler loading, up to 12 wt%. Meanwhile, the elongation at break show contradict trend where it was gradually decreased with an increasing ZnO particle loadings. Interestingly, the incorporation of 2 wt% of chitosan in the optimum percentage (12 wt%) of UHMWPE/ZnO composites has further increased the yield strength as well as the elongation at break values of tested hybrid composites. Ultimately, the morphology analysis was also carried out in order to visually justify the state of hybridization and dispersion of fillers within UHMWPE matrix. Keywords: ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), hybrid filler, wear resistance, tensile properties, morphology analysis