Tribological and electrochemical characterization of UHMWPE hybrid nanocomposite coating for biomedical applications

A new approach of using a polymer hybrid nanocomposite coating to modify the surface of titanium and its alloys is explored in this study. Electrostatic spray coating process is used to deposit the coating on the plasma-treated substrates for better adhesion. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been selected as the parent matrix for the coating due to its biocompatibility and excellent tribological properties. However, to improve its load-bearing capacity carbon nanotubes (CNT's) (0.5, 1.5, and 3 wt.%) are used as reinforcement and to further enhance its performance, different weight percent of hydroxyapatite (HA) (0.5, 1.5, 3, and 5 wt.%) are introduced to form a hybrid nanocomposite coating. The dispersion of CNT's and HA was evaluated by Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical corrosion behavior of the nanocomposite coatings was evaluated by performing potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic tests in simulated body fluid. Tribological performance of the developed hybrid nanocomposite coating was evaluated using a 6.3 mm diameter stainless steel (440C) ball as the counterface in a ball-on-disk configuration. Tests were carried out at different normal loads (7 N, 9 N, 12 N, and 15 N) and a constant sliding velocity of 0.1 m/s. The developed hybrid nanocomposite coating showed excellent mechanical properties in terms of high hardness, improved scratch resistance, and excellent wear and corrosion resistance compared to the pristine UHMWPE coatings.