Friction and wear properties of polyphenyl ester and graphite filler in the carbon fibre‐reinforced ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene composites

Ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) reinforced with carbon fibre (CF) underwent an enhancement of heat and wear resistant with the addition of polyphenyl ester (POB) and graphite, respectively. The effect of graphite content on the tribological properties of the composites was studied. The wear surface was examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results of the sliding wear tests showed that with graphite loading, wear resistance increased and the coefficient of friction was much more stable. In addition, graphite improved the tribological properties of the composite. Hardness, impact strengths and thermal stability of the composites were enhanced. With increased load, the wear rate of the ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene+carbon fibre+polyphenyl ester+10 % graphite composite tended to increase, whereas the coefficient of friction decreased. The adherence and plastic deformation were dominant wear mechanisms for the ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene+carbon fibre+polyphenyl ester+graphite composites. The formation of a thin and uniform transfer film was observed.