THE ANALYSIS OF THE INFLUENCE OF GAMMA IRRIADIATED POLYSULFONES ON THE STATIC FRICTION COEFFICIENT

Abstract

The paper presents the results of studies on the effects of gamma irradiation on the static friction coefficient of thermoplastic polymer – polysulfone. These polar polymers belong to the group of amorphous thermoplastics and are widely used for various applications, e.g., automotive and electronic industries (dielectrics in capacitors), waste water recovery, medical uses (hemodialysis membranes), requiring autoclave, and steam sterilization. Polysufones are known for their toughness and stability at high temperatures. The aim of this study is to analysed changes in the static coefficient of friction in association with a contact pressure (in the range 0.2 – 0.8 MPa) depending on the ionizing radiation dose of PSU (in the range 50-150 kGy). Additionally, microhardness, and wear intensity were measured, because tribological properties of polymers as well as mechanical properties that influence their durability and applications. The studies confirmed that the static coefficient of friction increases with an increase in contact pressure (in the test range). The research has shown that mechanical (microhardness) and tribological (static coefficient of friction and tribological wear) improve as the radiation dose of irradiated material increase. Moreover, the tribological wear increases with increasing the sliding velocity. This gamma irradiated polymer is characterized by higher microhardness, a static coefficient of friction, and a higher wear rate compared to PSU in the initial state, because of changes in structure. It requires further research.