SURFACE MODIFICATION OF ELASTOMERS TO IMPROVE THEIR TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

paper deals with modification of rubber (BR, SBR, IR, EPDM, NBR) payin g special attention to surface phenomena and tribological properties o f the material. The data on chemical and physical treatments, carried out both in bulk as well as on the surface of rubber are presented. Th e results obtained are interpreted taking into consideration hystereti cal and adhesional components of the friction force. The most promisin g methods described are sulfonation and iodination with NBR, blending of EPDM with LDPE and mechanical interlocking of a solid lubricant, e, g, MoS2 in the surface layer of rubber. Application of above methods s ignificantly reduces the coefficient of friction and improves the engi neering performance of rubber.