The paper describes the effects of gamma radiation doses on the tribological and mechanical properties of selected thermoplastic polymers: PEEK, PEI, PET, and PA6. Samples of those polymers were irradiated with gamma rays of energy 1, 1.2, 3, 4, 5 MeV and with the intensity of the radiation beam 4, 7, 10, 30, 40 μA. With an increasing dose of radiation, properties such as microhardness, the friction coefficient of polymers, and the wear rate are changed. The chemical structure of the irradiated polymer may be changed by crosslinking but also by chain scission. The modified polymers may be used in medical science, electronics, and space technology. In this article, we report the results of steel C45 – thermoplastics (PEEK, PEI, PET, and PA6) friction couple during the slip motion. The analysis is focused on the friction coefficient, wear rate, and microhardness. Kinematic parameters of the experiment in slide movement were constant and defined by the following values: contact pressure p = 1MPa and sliding velocity v = 1m/s. The authors observed that, as gamma radiation dose increased, the microhardness and friction coefficient increased and their wear intensity decreased. Polymers change their microstructure and molecular structure when they are subjected to gamma ray irradiation, which results in modification on many important physical and chemical properties.
Evaluation of gamma-ray and neutron attenuation properties of some polymers
