Functional properties of low energy ion-irradiated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber

The paper presents recent studies focused on improving friction and wear properties of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR). The main objective of the presented study is to investigate impact of wide range of ions, irradiated with different energies and fluencies and find correlation between friction coefficient, hardness and mechanical strength of NBR-type elastomers. In this study, structural properties of pristine and irradiated elastomers were assessed by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), whereas the nano-mechanical properties were studied by means of nanoindentation technique and wear properties by pin-on-disc friction test.