(618i) Relationship Between Dielectric Properties and Wear Processes In Nanocomposites: Detecting Wear-Related Damage In Joint Replacement Polymer Materials

ABSTRACT

We
examined the correlation of wear effects with dielectric properties of carbon
nanofibers (CNFs; untreated and organosilane-treated)-reinforced high-density
polyethylene (HDPE) composites. Wear testing for the nanocomposites over up to
120 hr was carried out, and then, dielectric permittivity and dielectric loss
factor of the polymer composites with the increased wear time were studied.
Scanning electron microscope and optical microscope observations were made to
analyze the microstructure features of the nanocomposites. The results reveal
that there exist approximate linear relationships of permittivity with wear
coefficient for the nanocomposites. Composites containing silanized CNFs with
the sufficiently thick coating exhibited high wear resistance. The change in
permittivity was more sensitive to the increased wear coefficient for the
nanocomposites with lower wear resistance. This work provides potential for
further research on the application of dielectric signals to detect the effects
of wear process on lifetime of polymeric materials.