Influence of Crystal Structure on the Set of Physicomechanical Characteristics of Composite Materials Based on Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene

Abstract

Using the polymerization filling technique, composite materials have been obtained based on ultra-high molecular weight PE and fillers of platelike (graphene or graphite nanoplatelets) and spherical (silica) types. The tensile stress–strain characteristics of samples obtained using different pressing modes have been examined. It has been revealed that the cooling rate of the samples during pressing affects the values of ultimate tensile strength and modulus of elasticity in tension. The characteristics of composites processed at a low cooling rate (10 K/h) are 30% higher than those of the samples obtained at a high cooling rate (10 K/min). Using DSC, DMA, and X-ray diffraction methods, it has been shown that the way of cooling affects the crystallite size of compressed samples of composite materials.