Influence of γ‐irradiation dose on the mechanical and tribological properties of fluoroelastomer

Abstract Fluoroelastomer (FKM) undergo various degrees of degradation in a gamma‐irradiated environment, leading to changes in their mechanical and tribological properties. In this paper, changes in the properties of FKM were investigated for six different doses. Fourier transform infrared‐atomic absorption spectroscopy (FTIR‐ATR) results show that FKM samples undergo dehydrofluorination and oxidation reactions during irradiation, resulting in the formation of C=C, C=O, and ‐OH functional groups. The results of the swelling test showed that the degree of cross‐linking of the FKM specimens increased with increasing irradiation dose. Mechanical test results show that the fracture mechanism of FKM specimens gradually evolves from ductile fracture to brittle fracture with the increase of irradiation dose. Its tensile strength reaches its maximum at an irradiation dose of 1000 kGy, and the modulus of elasticity becomes larger with increasing irradiation dose. The results of wear tests show that the average coefficient of friction of FKM specimens first decreases, reaches a minimum at 500 kGy, and then gradually increases. The amount of wear increases with increasing irradiation dose. The wear mechanism of FKM specimens is abrasive wear at 0–500 kGy, adhesive wear at 1000 and 2000 kGy, and fatigue wear at 3000 kGy. Highlights FKM was irradiated by gamma‐ray with a total dose of 3000 kGy. Dehydrofluorination and oxidation reactions occur during irradiation. Increased cross‐linking leads to changes in mechanical properties. The wear mechanism of FKM with different doses has been investigated.