In this study the wear behavior of ultra high molecular polyethylene (UHMWPE) filled with kaolin particles by different methods was investigated. UHMWPE/kaolin composites were prepared by two different methods: polymerization-filling and powder mixing. Particularly in a powder mixing method, particle dispersion and wear property according to powder mixing method were examined. It was found from wear test that filling of inorganic filler into UHMWPE by polymerization filling was more effective way than by powder mixing method in improving wear resistance of UHMWPE. It was also confirmed that abrasive wear was dominant wear mechanism and particle dispersion in the composite as well as interface property was an important factor in controlling the wear behavior of the resulting composites.

본 연구에서는 상이한 방법을 통하여 제조된 초고분자량 폴리에틸렌 (ultra high molecular polyethylene, UHMWPE)/카올린 복합재료의 마모 특성에 대하여 살펴보았다. 카올린 입자는 중합충전(in-situ polymerization)법과 분말 혼합법의 두 가지 상이한 방법을 통하여 UHMWPE와 복합화되었으며 특히 분말 혼합법에서는 입자상으로 구성된 두 재료의 혼합 방법에 따른 입자 분산 및 마모 특성에 대하여 분석하였다. 제조된 복합재료의 마모실험에서 입자 충전에 의하여 내마모성이 크게 향상되었는데 연삭마모가 지배적인 마모기구였으며, 중합충전법이 내마모성 향상에 있어서 분말혼합법에 비하여 효과적이었다. 또한 충전된 입자의 분산 상태와 계면 특성이 내마모성 향상에 중요한 변수임을 확인할 수 있었다.

Keywords: wear; polymerization-filling; powder mixing; UHMWPE; kaolin