Prepared by

SITI NADZIFAH BINTI GHAZALI (2010949421)

Degree of Science (Hons) Chemistry

Universiti Teknologi MARA

INTRODUCTION

Current disabled sports wheelchairs are made to allowathletes better speed and maneuverability on the field.

However, the findings of recent research related to thedisabled sports wheelchairs is still not clear todetermine the most appropriate material to be used.

More research should be conducted and latesttechnologies should be developed to determine the mostsuitable selection material and must consider both themanufacturer and the end-user.

INTRODUCTION

The materials is the priority things to be considers since itimpacts characteristics such as durability, strength, cost,appearance design and manufacturing flexibility, and weight.

Although there have been significant improvements inmaterials for aforementioned wheelchair, there someexcellent improvement of material still can be developed.Some of the areas that include:

Seating Materials : Comfort, ease of cleaning and highdurability.

Tires and Wheels : Improved wear without compromisingride and traction, non-conductive, non-marking, durable.

ULTRAHIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE (UHMWPE)

o The thermoplastic polymer.

o Also known as high-modulus polyethylene, (HMPE) orhigh-performance polyethylene (HPPE).

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Outstanding toughness cut and wear resistance. Excellent chemical resistance. Good low temperature impact resistance. very tough material, with the highest impact strength

compared to any thermoplastic presently made odorless, tasteless, and nontoxic. extremely low moisture absorption and a very low coefficient

of friction self-lubricating and is highly resistant to abrasion,

• Costlycompared to another thermoplastic polymer.

ULTRAHIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE (UHMWPE)

o UHMWPE sheet is can be cut into small blocks to be usedas a brake pad material for aforementioned wheelchairtrials rim brakes.

o The material's combination of flexibility and abrasionresistance allows it to run on a roughened rim surface tolock the braked wheels extremely securely when thebrake is pulled, while still wearing at a slower rate thanmore common wheelchair brake pad materials.