Development and Tribological Characterization of UHMWPE-TiN Composite Coatings Deposited by Electrostatic Spraying

Author

Jarrod Keith Perez, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)

Department

Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor

Javier Ortega

Second Advisor

Mataz Alcoutlabi

Third Advisor

Victoria Padilla

Abstract

The increasing demand for inert, wear-resistant, cost-efficient, environmentally friendly, and low-friction coatings has driven extensive research into polymer-based solutions. Among these, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has emerged as a strong candidate due to its low density, anticorrosion properties, self-lubricating nature, affordability, and ease of processing. However, its low load-bearing capacity limits its widespread use in high-stress tribological applications. To overcome this limitation, this project investigates the development and characterization of UHMWPE composite coatings reinforced with titanium nitride (TiN) particles at varying concentrations (2.5, 5, and 10 wt%) to enhance their mechanical properties and wear resistance.

Comments

Copyright 2025 Jarrod Keith Perez. https://proquest.com/docview/3240628825

Recommended Citation

Perez, J. K. (2025). Development and Tribological Characterization of UHMWPE-TiN Composite Coatings Deposited by Electrostatic Spraying [Master's thesis, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]. ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/1697