# Synergistic Mechanical Enhancement and Surface Treatment for Superior Tribological Performance of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Films

## TL;DR

This study improves the wear resistance and reduces friction in UHMWPE films using a two-step process involving stretching and hot pressing.

## Contribution

A novel two-step process combining biaxial stretching and hot pressing is introduced for enhanced tribological performance in UHMWPE.

## Key findings

- Biaxial stretching improved mechanical strength and thermal stability of UHMWPE films.
- Hot pressing achieved an optimal wear rate of 0.002 g/1000 cycles and a kinetic coefficient of friction of 0.106.
- The synergistic process offers a new pathway for balancing low wear and low friction in UHMWPE.

## Abstract

This study systematically investigates a novel two-step approach to enhance the tribological performance of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) by combining biaxial stretching with a subsequent hot pressing treatment. The significance of this work lies in developing a continuous, high-efficiency process that allows for decoupled control of bulk mechanical properties and surface tribological characteristics. The material’s evolution was comprehensively characterized using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), tensile testing, and a Taber Abraser. Results show that biaxial stretching significantly enhanced the film’s bulk mechanical strength and thermal stability, creating a wider processing window for subsequent surface treatment. A subsequent hot pressing step was then applied to refine the surface characteristics, yielding an optimal wear rate of 0.002 g/1000 cycles and a kinetic coefficient of friction (µk) of 0.106. Achieving such a concurrent optimization of high wear resistance and low friction is crucial in materials processing. The study demonstrates that the synergistic effect of biaxial orientation and hot pressing-induced crystal perfection provides a powerful and previously unreported pathway to achieving a superior balance of low wear and low friction in UHMWPE.