THE INFLUENCE OF ELECTRON BEAM IRRADIATION ON THE TRIBOLOGICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE (PTFE) FOR ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS

The study demonstrates the significant effects of electron beam irradiation on the tribological and mechanical properties of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Electron beam irradiation, a method using highvelocity electrons to modify material properties, was applied to PTFE to potentially enhance its wear resistance and mechanical hardness, which are critical for applications under increased wear conditions. In the experiments, PTFE samples were irradiated at varying doses, and their wear resistance, microhardness, and surface roughness were evaluated post-irradiation. Tribological test results showed a notable improvement in wear resistance and microhardness with increasing radiation doses. Specifically, irradiated samples exhibited reduced wear volume and enhanced surface characteristics compared to the unirradiated sample. The irradiated sample (PTFE-2) showed the highest resistance to abrasive wear and a significant increase in surface hardness, indicating that electron beam irradiation effectively strengthens the material by inducing cross-linking and other structural modifications within the polymer matrix. Additionally, the study highlighted changes in surface roughness: irradiated samples exhibited altered roughness parameters that contributed to improved wear resistance. These changes can be explained by the physical and chemical transformations induced by electron beam exposure, which modify the surface and subsurface regions of the polymer. This study confirms that electron beam irradiation is an effective method for enhancing the mechanical and tribological properties of PTFE, making it more suitable for advanced engineering applications where high durability and resistance to extreme conditions are required. The findings open new avenues for the use of PTFE in sectors requiring high performance, extending its application beyond traditional fields.