Institute of Oil and Gas Problems, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Yakutsk, Russia:

S. N. Popov, Deputy Director, Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences
P. N. Petrova, Leading Researcher, Candidate of Engineering Sciences
O. V. Gogoleva, Senior Researcher, Candidate of Engineering Sciences
M. D. Sokolova, Acting Director, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, marsokol@mail.ru

The article describes the research findings on the development of polymeric composite materials based on ultra-high molecular polyethylene (UHMP) which possesses extremely high impact toughness, wearability, corrosive medium resistance, hydrophobic behavior and wet strength, and is capable to retain these properties under low temperature. As modifiers, thermally expanded graphite, basalt fiber and vermiculite were used. It has been found that modification of UHMP with thermally expanded graphite in amount from 1 to 6 mass percent increases wearability of the composite material to 28 times and decreases abrasive wear 10 times at the same or slightly lower mechanical properties as compared with the initial matrix. The resultant composition is protected by RF patent. Modification of UHMP using short-cut and activated basalt fibers exhibits their advantage over nonactivated fibers. Wearability of the composites modified by activated basalt fibers in a mount of 5 mass percent is increased 7.7 times at the higher strength and elasticity modulus by 30–40%, while the short-cut fiber enhances wearability of the composite material by 2.5–5.4 times. In modification of UHM by basalt fibers using joint activation technology, the total wear rate is reduced by 4 times with a decrease in the friction factor at the retained physical properties. The same effect is observed in joint mechanical activation of UHMP with vermiculite. The total wear rate is decreased by 3.5 times and the friction factor is lowered 1.5 times at the preserved physical characteristics. The developed polymeric composites having improved tribotechnical characteristics are recommended for the use in friction assemblies and mechanisms of mining equipment.

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