Preparation and characteristics of nano-B₄C/PVA particles and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene composites

摘要

In-situ mechanical process for preparation of the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated nano-B₄C powder was investigated by using a high-energy ball mill. The produced PVA coat on the surface of nano-B₄C particles was observed by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and confirmed by TEM images. The average particle size of the produced nano-B₄C/PVA particles was in the range of several tens to hundreds of nanometers depending on the milling conditions. The polymer composites were fabricated by hot pressing ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) powder mixed with nano-B₄C/PAV and micro-B₄C powders, respectively. Nano-B₄C/PVA dispersed UHMWPE shows slightly lower crystallinity and stiffness than micro-B₄C dispersed UHMWPE based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) evaluations.