Tribological Characterization of Aged Mollusc Shells-UHMWPE Biocomposites Manufactured by Hot Compression Molding Process

This study examined the impact of hygrothermal aging on the tribological properties of biocomposites fabricated by hot compression molding. Mollusc shell particles (MS) are incorporated, at variable weight percentage, into a UHMWPE matrix to create biocomposites. These biocomposites then undergo accelerated hygrothermal aging by immersion in a Ringer’s solution at 80 ℃. The friction and wear behavior of the biocomposites was evaluated using a pin-on-disk tribometer under dry and ambient conditions. The results indicate that hygrothermal aging leads to an improvement in the tribological behavior of the biocomposites and particularly their wear resistance, which is influenced by the amount of MS particles incorporated. The study investigated the wear behavior of the aged biocomposite and proposed a corresponding wear mechanism.