Elastomer treatment by arc metal deposition assisted with self-ion irradiation

The problems of the friction of elastomer articles in contact with other pa rts, involved in a rotating or reciprocating motion, mould release and moul d fouling in rubber industry have prompted research into the deposition of metal layers on rubber. In this paper, the surface layer and the interface formed by self-ion-assisted deposition (SIAD) of metals (Me) on vulcanized synthetic rubber are examined with the aim of understanding better the fact ors that influence the adhesion. The level of adhesion between the deposite d layer and rubber was measured using the Pin Pull Test method. The SIAD mo dified surfaces were examined using RES and electron diffraction techniques . The results revealed that the composition of the Me-based layers deposite d on rubber in conjunction with self-ion irradiation exhibited many compone nt content of coating and a weak dependence on metal species. The layer con sists of Me, carbon, oxygen and hydrogen derived from the residual vacuum a nd vacuum oil and silicon from isolators of electrodes in an ion source. It was found that the species of Me exerts a strong influence on the friction of elastomer against steel and on the bonding between the coating and rubb er. The work concludes that the adhesion between the rubber and the coating depends upon the chosen compound coating and can be controlled variably. ( C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.