The Wear Resistance of Composite Materials Based on Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene with Fillers of Various Types

The tribological properties and wear resistance under different action of composite materials based on of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and fillers of various types such as organomodified montmorillonite (MMT), graphite nanoplates (GNP), molybdenum disulfide, and shungite prepared via polymerization in situ are studied. According to the obtained results, the introduction of these fillers to UHMWPE in the amount of 0.4–7 wt % has almost no effect on the value of the coefficient of sliding friction on steel in the mode of dry friction. Composites with GNP, MoS₂, and shungite are characterized by a significant (two- to threefold) increase in the wear resistance in the case of sliding friction on steel. The abrasive wear of composites in the case of friction on an abrasive paper is substantially affected by the type of filler, the use of MMT was the most effective for increasing the wear resistance of composites. In the case of a highspeed impact effect of water–sand suspensions all the studied composites are characterized by increased wear resistance in comparison with industrial UHMWPE at a low concentration of fillers and by an increase in the wear with the increase of the filler content.