Preparation and thermal property of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene composites filled by calcium carbonate modified with long chain

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is an excellent property polymer, but its poor processability due to high melt viscosity limits the more wide-ranging application. To improve the processability of UHMWPE composites filled by calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ), a novel method is reported to modify CaCO 3 . PE wax coated on the surface of CaCO 3 (PEW@CaCO 3 ) can be prepared by acrylic acid–modified CaCO 3 (AA-CaCO 3 ) and PE wax. The crystallization and melting behavior of UHMWPE and its composites filled by CaCO 3 , AA-CaCO 3, and PEW@CaCO 3 was compared by differential scanning calorimetry. The processability of UHMWPE composites was characterized by torque rheometer. The effect of CaCO 3 , AA-CaCO 3, and PEW@CaCO 3 on the crystallization and processability of UHMWPE was discussed.