Structural Insights into LDPE/UHMWPE Blends Processed by γ-Irradiation
Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) matrices containing low-density polyethylene (LDPE), hydroxyapatite (HAp) as filler, and rosemary extract (RM) as stabilizer were investigated for their qualification for long-term applications. The significant contributions of the blend components w...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/3/696 |
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| author | Traian Zaharescu Nicoleta Nicula Maria Râpă Mihai Iordoc Violeta Tsakiris Virgil Emanuel Marinescu |
| author_facet | Traian Zaharescu Nicoleta Nicula Maria Râpă Mihai Iordoc Violeta Tsakiris Virgil Emanuel Marinescu |
| author_sort | Traian Zaharescu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) matrices containing low-density polyethylene (LDPE), hydroxyapatite (HAp) as filler, and rosemary extract (RM) as stabilizer were investigated for their qualification for long-term applications. The significant contributions of the blend components were analyzed, and variations in mechanical properties, oxidation strength, thermal behavior, crystallinity, and wettability were discussed. SEM images of microstructural peculiarities completed the introspective survey. The stability improvement due to the presence of both additives was an increase in the total degradation period of 67% in comparison with an unmodified HDPE/UHMWPE blend when the materials were subjected to a 50 kGy γ-dose. There was growth in activation energies from 121 kJ mol<sup>−1</sup> to 139 kJ mol<sup>−1</sup> when HAp and rosemary extract delayed oxidation. The exposure of samples to the action of γ-rays was found to be a proper procedure for accomplishing accelerated oxidative degradation. The presence of rosemary extract and HAp powder significantly increased the thermal and oxidation resistances. The calculation of material lifetimes at various temperatures provided meaningful information on the wearability and integrity of the inspected composites. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T09:28:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f46e2d18be494c158fff5cd9f4f5c53d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T09:28:56Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-f46e2d18be494c158fff5cd9f4f5c53d2023-11-16T17:49:16ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602023-01-0115369610.3390/polym15030696Structural Insights into LDPE/UHMWPE Blends Processed by γ-IrradiationTraian Zaharescu0Nicoleta Nicula1Maria Râpă2Mihai Iordoc3Violeta Tsakiris4Virgil Emanuel Marinescu5INCDIE ICPE CA, 3131 Splaiul Unirii, 030138 Bucharest, RomaniaINCDIE ICPE CA, 3131 Splaiul Unirii, 030138 Bucharest, RomaniaFaculty of Materials Science and Engineering, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042 Bucharest, RomaniaINCDIE ICPE CA, 3131 Splaiul Unirii, 030138 Bucharest, RomaniaINCDIE ICPE CA, 3131 Splaiul Unirii, 030138 Bucharest, RomaniaINCDIE ICPE CA, 3131 Splaiul Unirii, 030138 Bucharest, RomaniaUltra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) matrices containing low-density polyethylene (LDPE), hydroxyapatite (HAp) as filler, and rosemary extract (RM) as stabilizer were investigated for their qualification for long-term applications. The significant contributions of the blend components were analyzed, and variations in mechanical properties, oxidation strength, thermal behavior, crystallinity, and wettability were discussed. SEM images of microstructural peculiarities completed the introspective survey. The stability improvement due to the presence of both additives was an increase in the total degradation period of 67% in comparison with an unmodified HDPE/UHMWPE blend when the materials were subjected to a 50 kGy γ-dose. There was growth in activation energies from 121 kJ mol<sup>−1</sup> to 139 kJ mol<sup>−1</sup> when HAp and rosemary extract delayed oxidation. The exposure of samples to the action of γ-rays was found to be a proper procedure for accomplishing accelerated oxidative degradation. The presence of rosemary extract and HAp powder significantly increased the thermal and oxidation resistances. The calculation of material lifetimes at various temperatures provided meaningful information on the wearability and integrity of the inspected composites.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/3/696UHMWPELDPEcompatibilityradiation effectsstructural modifications |
| spellingShingle | Traian Zaharescu Nicoleta Nicula Maria Râpă Mihai Iordoc Violeta Tsakiris Virgil Emanuel Marinescu Structural Insights into LDPE/UHMWPE Blends Processed by γ-Irradiation Polymers UHMWPE LDPE compatibility radiation effects structural modifications |
| title | Structural Insights into LDPE/UHMWPE Blends Processed by γ-Irradiation |
| title_full | Structural Insights into LDPE/UHMWPE Blends Processed by γ-Irradiation |
| title_fullStr | Structural Insights into LDPE/UHMWPE Blends Processed by γ-Irradiation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Structural Insights into LDPE/UHMWPE Blends Processed by γ-Irradiation |
| title_short | Structural Insights into LDPE/UHMWPE Blends Processed by γ-Irradiation |
| title_sort | structural insights into ldpe uhmwpe blends processed by γ irradiation |
| topic | UHMWPE LDPE compatibility radiation effects structural modifications |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/3/696 |
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