Ceramics-Silikáty 60, (2) 156 - 161 (2016)

Forsterite nano crystallite was synthesized by mixing talc and MgCO₃ in a ball mill for ten hours and then heating at 1000°C for ten minutes. Using twin-screw extrusion and then compression molding, an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) reinforced by forsterite nano crystallites with volume fraction of 0/5 was produced as a composite sheet. Scanning electron microscopy images showed homogeneous distribution of forsterite particles in the UHMWPE matrix with size scale of less than 1 μm. In vitro evaluation test in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution revealed the bioactivity of this composite. Mechanical properties of the produced composite were then evaluated using standard tensile test. Results showed that this composite has a strong Young modulus which is ten times higher than that of pure UHMWPE. In addition, the excellent toughness of pure UHMWPE was approximately maintained using 0/5 volume fraction of forsterite nano crystallite which is gained by over 300% fracture strain.