Tribo-Mechanical Evaluations of Auxetic polymers

Background

Polymers with negative Poisson’s ratio are generally termed as auxetic polymers. These polymers expand transversely when stretched and visa versa. This auxetic behaviour thus makes them attractive for novel industrial applications. Typical examples of the microstructure and applications of these polymers can be found at Auxetic Materials - Applications.

Research Activity

This research involved collaboration with the Bolton Institute for the processing of auxetic polymers. The aim of this investigation was to investigate their tribological performance for total hip arthroplasty applications. Microstructural, tribological and mechanical strength evaluations thus formed a part of this project. Figure below shows a typical comparison of the wear rate of conventional and auxetic polymers obtained from unidirectional sliding during dry pin-on-disc test. The counterface material for these tests was Stainless Steel (SS) or Ti₆Al₄V. Results of this research indicate that the wear mechanisms in this group of polymers varied from fatigue to abrasive and adhesive wear.

Research Student(s)

Miss Qian Cai