GB2059971A - Reducing the surface friction of rubber articles - Google Patents

Reducing the surface friction of rubber articles Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2059971A
GB2059971A GB8030925A GB8030925A GB2059971A GB 2059971 A GB2059971 A GB 2059971A GB 8030925 A GB8030925 A GB 8030925A GB 8030925 A GB8030925 A GB 8030925A GB 2059971 A GB2059971 A GB 2059971A
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Prior art keywords
rubber
articles
chamber
rubber articles
modifying
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GB2059971B (en
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Dukhovskoi E A
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Dukhovskoi E A
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C9/00—Apparatus or plant for applying liquid or other fluent material to surfaces by means not covered by any preceding group, or in which the means of applying the liquid or other fluent material is not important
    • B05C9/08—Apparatus or plant for applying liquid or other fluent material to surfaces by means not covered by any preceding group, or in which the means of applying the liquid or other fluent material is not important for applying liquid or other fluent material and performing an auxiliary operation
    • B05C9/10—Apparatus or plant for applying liquid or other fluent material to surfaces by means not covered by any preceding group, or in which the means of applying the liquid or other fluent material is not important for applying liquid or other fluent material and performing an auxiliary operation the auxiliary operation being performed before the application
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D3/00—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D3/14—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by electrical means
    • B05D3/141—Plasma treatment
    • B05D3/142—Pretreatment
    • B05D3/144—Pretreatment of polymeric substrates
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D3/00—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D3/14—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by electrical means
    • B05D3/141—Plasma treatment
    • B05D3/145—After-treatment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D5/00—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures
    • B05D5/08—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain an anti-friction or anti-adhesive surface
    • B05D5/083—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain an anti-friction or anti-adhesive surface involving the use of fluoropolymers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C37/00—Component parts, details, accessories or auxiliary operations, not covered by group B29C33/00 or B29C35/00
    • B29C37/0067—Using separating agents during or after moulding; Applying separating agents on preforms or articles, e.g. to prevent sticking to each other
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C59/00—Surface shaping of articles, e.g. embossing; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C59/10—Surface shaping of articles, e.g. embossing; Apparatus therefor by electric discharge treatment
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
    • C08J7/00—Chemical treatment or coating of shaped articles made of macromolecular substances
    • C08J7/04—Coating
    • C08J7/043—Improving the adhesiveness of the coatings per se, e.g. forming primers
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
    • C08J7/00—Chemical treatment or coating of shaped articles made of macromolecular substances
    • C08J7/04—Coating
    • C08J7/048—Forming gas barrier coatings
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
    • C08J7/00—Chemical treatment or coating of shaped articles made of macromolecular substances
    • C08J7/12—Chemical modification
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J37/00—Discharge tubes with provision for introducing objects or material to be exposed to the discharge, e.g. for the purpose of examination or processing thereof
    • H01J37/32—Gas-filled discharge tubes
    • H01J37/32009—Arrangements for generation of plasma specially adapted for examination or treatment of objects, e.g. plasma sources
    • H01J37/32018—Glow discharge
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D2201/00—Polymeric substrate or laminate
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D2258/00—Small objects (e.g. screws)
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D3/00—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D3/10—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by other chemical means
    • B05D3/101—Pretreatment of polymeric substrate
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2021/00—Use of unspecified rubbers as moulding material
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
    • C08J2321/00—Characterised by the use of unspecified rubbers
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
    • C08J2427/00—Characterised by the use of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by a halogen; Derivatives of such polymers

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Treatments Of Macromolecular Shaped Articles (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Macromolecular Shaped Articles (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
  • Graft Or Block Polymers (AREA)
  • Addition Polymer Or Copolymer, Post-Treatments, Or Chemical Modifications (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The surface friction of rubber articles is reduced by firstly wetting them with carbon tetrafluoride, exposing to a glow discharge, and secondly coating with a polymer e.g. PTFE, and exposing further to a glow discharge, both exposures being for over one hour. Suitable apparatus comprises (i), in Figure 1 a rotatable cylindrical 'squirrel- cage' 5 in which the articles 9 are tumbled, the whole being inside a chamber 1 equipped with electrodes or (ii) in Figure 3, a rotatable horizontal concave table 16 inside a chamber 1 with electrodes 15. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Modifying the surface of rubber articles The present invention relates to a process for modifying the surface of rubber articles and apparatus for performing such a process. This invention can be used in the rubber industry for manufacturing mechanical rubber articles featuring a coefficient of friction that is exceptionally low for rubber and an increased wear resistance (so-called "lubricated" rubber).
Modified mechanical rubber articles are characterized by special advantages for use in movable and stationary sealing arrangements of a wide range of machines and instruments, as well as in bearings and other units affected by friction. The low friction and chemical inertness of the working surface of modified chemical rubber parts rule out completely the adherence of rubber to metal in air, vacuum, and water, facilitate the starting motion and disengagement of seals, and make for a smooth reliable operation upon both rotational and reciprocating motion.
The reduction of friction losses in mechanical control systems due to the use of "lubricated" resins makes for a considerable increase of both the reliability and sensitivity of such systems.
Strong water-repellent action of wear-resistant "lubricated" rubbers renders them indispensable for hermetic sealing of watches and other precision mechanisms and instruments. Low friction in combination with chemical inertness open up extensive possibilities of using "lubricated" resins in the medical industry, in particular, in cases where reduced friction helps relieve the patient's pain.
There is a prior art process for modifying the surface of mechanical rubber articles by irradiating them (cf.
U.S. Patent No. 3,142,754). That process provides for improved physical and mechanical properties of rubber articles owing to the formation on their surface of a modified layer featuring improved adhesive properties as compared with surface properties of untreated material. However, this causes little change in the antifriction properties of rubber.
There is also a process for modifying the surface of mechanical rubber articles which comprises the treatment of articles with chemically active particles and the application of a polymer layer on their surface (cf. British Patent No. 1,120,803). That process does not provide the desired improvement of the antifriction properties of the material, namely, resistance to wear and friction coefficient.
There is further known a prior art apparatus for modifying the surface of mechanical rubber articles (cf.
U.S. Patent No. 3,142,754) comprising a source of radiation and means for conveying mechanical rubber articles in the zone of action of the radiation source. That apparatus cannot be used for modifying the surface of rubber articles in vacuum.
There is likewise known an apparatus for modifying mechanical rubber articles (cf. D.N. Andreev, Organicheskil sintez v elektricheskikh razriadakh [ Organic Synthesis in Electric Discharges ] , U.S.S.R.
Academy of Sciences Publishing House, Moscow#Leningrad, 1953, p.204) which includes a sealed chamber accommodating electrodes connected to a supply source located outside the chamber. That apparatus does not provide for simultaneous modification of the surface of a large number of mechanical rubber articles and forming a protective film on the surfaces thereof.
What is desired is a process for modifying the surface of mechanical rubber articles and an apparatus for accomplishing same, which would help to considerably reduce the friction coefficient of such articles and to improve their wear resistance.
The present invention provides a process for modifying the surface of mechanical rubber articles by way of treating such articles with chemically active particles and applying a polymer layer on the surface thereof, in which the mechanical rubber articles are wetted with carbon tetrafluoride and then placed in a sealed chamber evacuated to a residual pressure of less than 1 Pa. Thereupon, a glow electric discharge is induced in the sealed chamber and the mechanical rubber articles are held under glow discharge conditions for over one hour, after which a polymer layer is applied onto the surface of the mechanical rubber articles. Then, the mechanical rubber articles are subjected for over one hour to the effect of glow electric discharge having a specific power of up to 0.05 W/cm3.
The invention further provides apparatus for modifying the surface of mechanical rubber articles, comprising a sealed chamber accommodating thereinside electrodes connected to a supply source, and including a mechanism for the conveyance of mechanical rubber articles located directly in the sealed chamber in the inter-electrode space thereof, and a drive coupled kinematically with the latter conveying mechanism.
It is expedient that the conveying mechanism be fashioned as a squirrel cage whose end face elements serve as the electrodes and are interconnected by means of electrically insulated spokes mounted over the perimeter of the end face elements. The electrodes may be provided with at least one hole for loading and unloading the articles.
Alternatively, it is possible for the electrodes to be positioned above the mechanism for conveyance of rubber articles the mechanism being fashioned as an upwardly hollow (e.g. conical) platform. It is expedient for the electrodes to be fashioned as rings with spokes, in order to minimize obstruction of the articles.
The present invention enables one to manufacture rubber articles featuring a friction coefficient that is exceptionally low for rubber and an increased resistance to wear ("lubricated" resins), without changing the formulation of the starting materials and the technology of manufacturing the starting rubber articles. This enables the use of the present invention for the purpose of increasing the reliability and extending the service life of machines, instruments, and apparatus. The use of modified-surface rubber articles for sealing watch cases can ensure water-tightness for 25 years. The use of modified-surface rubber articles for sealing moving assemblies in automobile units may double the service life of such units.
The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of apparatus for modifying the surface of large rubber articles, in longitudinal section; Figure 2 is a section taken along the line Il-Il of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of apparatus for modifying the surface of small rubber articles, in longitudinal section; and Figure 4 is a section taken along the live IV-IV of Figure 3.
The apparatus for modifying the surface of large rubber articles, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a sealed cylindrical chamber 1 on whose end faces are positioned two current leads 2 connected to a supply source 3 located outside the chamber 1. A drive 4, also located outside the chamber 1, is coupled kinematically with a mechanism 5 for the conveyance of rubber articles, inside the chamber 1.
The mechanism 5 is in the form of a squirrel cage whose end face elements serve as electrodes 6 connected via the current leads 2 to the supply source 3. The electrodes 6 are interconnected by means of electrically insulated spokes 7 mounted over the perimeter of the end face elements of the squirrel cage.
In addition, the apparatus is provided with a vacuum pump 8 for the evacuation of air from the chamber 1 and for the removal of impurities from the surface of rubber articles 9 being treated, as well as with a loading hatch 10 and an unloading hatch 11.
For adjusting the r.p.m. of the drive 4, an autotransformer 12 is connected electrically to the drive 4. For inspection of the process of modifying the rubber articles 9, the chamber 1 has a peephole 13.
Shown in Figure 2 is a general view of the squirrel cage end face element serving as one electrode 6. The electrode is provided with six holes 14 for charging the rubber articles 9 into the interelectrode space of the chamber 1.
For the purpose of modifying the surface of small rubber articles 9, use is made of the apparatus shown in Figure 3. This apparatus comprises a sealed cylindrical chamber 1 on whose upper end face are positioned two current leads 2 connected to a supply source 3 located outside the chamber 1 and coupled kinematically with a mechanism 5 for the conveyance of rubber articles, inside the chamber 1. The conveying mechanism 5 is positioned below electrodes 15 and comprises a hollow cone-shaped platform 16.
In addition, the apparatus is provided with a vacuum pump 8 for the evacuation of air from the chamber 1 and for the removal of impurities from the surface of rubber articles 9 being treated, as well as with loading and unloading means 17 and 18, respectively, which are fashioned as air-lock chambers connected to the vacuum pump 8, the air-lock chambers being separated from the chamber 1 by means of gate locks 19,20 respectively and from the atmosphere by means of gate locks 21,22 respectively.
The transfer of the mechanical rubber articles 9 from the chamber 1 to the unloading means 18 is effected via a port 23 provided in the centre of the cone-shaped platform 16 with the possibility of being closed by a valve 24.
For adjusting the r.p.m. of the drive 4, provision is made of an autotransformer 12 connected electrically to the drive 4. For inspection of the process of modifying the rubber articles 9, the chamber 1 has a peephole 13.
Figure 4 shows a general view of the lower of the two electrodes 15, each being fashioned as a ring 25 with spokes 26.
The wetting of articles with carbon tetrafluoride makes for the penetration of the material by their molecules. This intensifies the grafting of the polymer being applied onto the article in the course of its additional treatment with flow discharge, thus ensuring the ultimate improvement of the antifriction properties of the material.
The apparatus for modifying the surface of large rubber articles operates in the following manner.
The articles 9 being treated (Figure 1), such as rubber gaskets, are delivered inside the chamber 1 via the loading hatch 10 and distributed between the electrodes 6 of the mechanism 5. In so doing, a stirring device is slowly rotated to pre-match the hole of the hatch 10 with one of the holes 14 of the electrode 6. Thereupon, the loading hatch is closed, and the vacuum pump 8 is used to evacuate air from the chamber 1 until reaching 1-0.1 Pa. Then, glow electric discharge is induced in the sealed chamber ana, simultaneously, the drive 4 is actuated. Upon rotation of the squirrel cage, the articles being treated move upwards under the effect of centrifugal and frictional forces, and, under the effect of gravity, fall down onto the spokes. While so doing, the glow discharge spreads freely throughout the entire volume of the chamber 1. The desired mode of stirring the rubber articles is set by varying the r.p.m. of the squirrel cage with the aid of the auto-transformer 12 and is monitored through the peephole 13.
Upon termination of the treatment of the rubber articles 9, the supply source 3 is switched off and the chamber 1 unsealed. The mechanism 5 is stopped in a position in which one of the holes 14 of the electrode 6 is matched with the hole of the unloading hatch 11. The hatch 11 is opened and the articles 9 removed from the chamber 1.
The immobility of the chamber 1 in the apparatus owing to the use of the mechanism 5 helps simplify the apparatus design, facilitate the operating conditions, and increase the reliability. Such an apparatus can be employed for simultaneously reducing the friction coefficient and increasing the wear resistance of dozens and hundreds of rubber articles of similar or different shape.
The apparatus for modifying small rubber articles operates in the following manner.
The articles 9 being treated, such as toroidal rubber packings having a diameter of up to three millimetres, are placed in the loading means 17 (Figure 3). The vacuum pump 8 is used to evacuate the chamber 1, the loading means 17, and unloading means 18to a pressure of 1-0.1 Pa, after which a glow discharge is produced in the chamber 1 by supplying high voltage from the supply source 3 to the electrode 15. The drive 4 is switched on for rotating the platform 16, after which the gate lock 19 communicating the loading means 17 with the chamber 1 is opened and the articles 9 are loaded onto the platform 16. Upon rotation of the platform, the articles 9 being treated are thrown by centrifugal force towards the stationary walls of the chamber 1, impinge against them, rebound, and continue their movement inside the chamber 1 until they fall onto the platform 16.Uninhibited movement of the articles 9 inside the chamber 1 in the course of treatment can be effected owing to the fact that the electrodes 15 are fashioned as rings 25 (Figure 4) with spokes 26.
The adjustment of the rate of rotation of the platform 16 (Figure 3) with the aid of the auto-transformer 12 sets the mode in which the articles 9 being treated are moved over the entire volume of the chamber 1. The attainment of the optimum mode is observed visually through the peephole 13. Then, the valve 24 acts to open the port 23 in the platform 16 and the gate lock 20 serving to communicate the unloading means 18 with the chamber 1. The articles 9 are deposited from the platform 16 into the unloading means 18, after which the gate lock 20 closes while the gate lock 22, serving to communicate the unloading means 18 with the atmosphere, opens. As a result, the treated articles 9 are removed from the means 18.Then, a subsequent lot of the articles 9 to be treated is delivered to the chamber 1 of the apparatus via the loading means 17 and the operating cycle of the apparatus is repeated.
The above-described apparatus provides for a simultaneous reduction of the friction coefficient and increase of the resistance to wear in hundreds and thousands of mechanical rubber articles.
For better understanding, the present invention is illustrated below by an example of a process for modifying the surface of rubber samples based on fluorine rubber, butadiene-nitrile, ethylene-propylene triple, and fluorosiloxane rubbers.
Example A rubber sample having a size of 150 x 150 x 2mm is wetted with carbon tetrafluoride, in order to ensure the possibility of grafting carbon tetrafluoride to the starting material and its cross-linking with the polymer applied during subsequent modifying steps. The sample is then placed in the sealed chamber (Figure 1), which is evacuated. A glow discharge is induced with the aid of the supply source 3 by supplying to the electrodes 6 inside the chamber 1 the voltage required to produce visible glow in the chamber 1. Upon emergence of the discharge and continuous evacuation of air, the pressure in the chamber 1 first rises and then decreases gradually.In order to prevent the discharge in the chamber 1 from going out in the course of pressure rise at this stage due to the desorption of impurities contained in the rubber, air from the chamber 1 should be pre-evacuated to a pressure of residual gases of below 1 Pa, after which the sample is held under glow discharge conditions for over one hour, followed by the application of a layer of a polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene onto the sample by conventional means. Finally, the article is once again treated in the vacuum chamber by glow discharge at a specific power of from 0.001 to 0.05 W/cm3. It is in this range of glow discharge specific power values that the maximum effect is attained for the rubbers under consideration within the minimum time, for example, after 1 to 2 hours of treatment.Further increase in the power of glow discharge leads to partial destruction of the sample surface. The modified sample is extracted from the chamber 1.
The resistance to wear and friction coefficient of modified samples were found in a conventional abrasion tester using a stainless steel ball indenter 0.5 mm in diameter. Friction characteristics of the various rubbers prior to and after modifying according to the herein-disclosed and prior art processes are listed in the following Table. Measurements were taken at a rate of indenter sliding over the sample of 0.1 m/s and sample unit load of 40.103 Pa.
Friction characteristics of mechanical rubber articles prior to and after modifying Type Ethyle- Fluoro- Fluorine Butadiene of ne-pro- siloxane rubber nitrile rubber pylene rubber rubber triple rubber Friction coeffici- Prior end of to material modi fying 2.0 1.8 5.5 1.5 2.0 1.6 After modi fying 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 Wear re sistance Prior of mate- to rial (in modi arbitrary fying units) 0.3 0.3 0.08 2.1 0.3 0.2 After modi fying 1.0 1.6 0.8 440.0 2.0 3.3

Claims (8)

1. A process for modifying the surface of a rubber article, wherein the rubber article, wetted with carbon tetrafluoride, is subjected, in a vacuum with a residual pressure of less than 1 Pa, to the effect of chemically active particles of a glow discharge, held under glow discharge conditions for over one hour and, following the application of a polymer layer, subjected for over one hour to the effect of a glow discharge having a specific power of up to 0.05 W/cm3.
2. Apparatus for performing the process according to claim 1, comprising a sealed chamber accommodating electrodes connected to a source of supply, a mechanism for the conveyance of rubber articles in the interelectrode space, the mechanism being located in a sealed chamber, and a drive coupled kinematically with the said mechanism.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the said mechanism comprises a squirrel cage whose end face elements serve as electrodes and are interconnected by means of electrically insulated spokes mounted over the perimeter of the end face elements.
4. Apparaus as claimed in claim 3, in which the end face elements are provided with at least one hole.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the electrodes are positioned above the said mechanism, which comprises an upwardly concave platform.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which each electrode comprises a ring with spokes.
7. A process for modifying the surface of a rubber article, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
8. Apparatus for use in modifying the surface of rubber articles, substantially as described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
GB8030925A 1979-09-25 1980-09-25 Reducing the surface friction of rubber articles Expired GB2059971B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SU792810497A SU1081183A1 (en) 1979-09-25 1979-09-25 Process for surface modification of rubber articles

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2059971A true GB2059971A (en) 1981-04-29
GB2059971B GB2059971B (en) 1985-02-20

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GB8030925A Expired GB2059971B (en) 1979-09-25 1980-09-25 Reducing the surface friction of rubber articles
GB8230298A Expired GB2107923B (en) 1979-09-25 1982-10-22 Apparatus for modifying the surface of rubber articles

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GB8230298A Expired GB2107923B (en) 1979-09-25 1982-10-22 Apparatus for modifying the surface of rubber articles

Country Status (6)

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JP (1) JPS5820968B2 (en)
CH (1) CH644139A5 (en)
DE (1) DE3036026C2 (en)
FR (1) FR2465527A1 (en)
GB (2) GB2059971B (en)
SU (1) SU1081183A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2164947A (en) * 1984-08-13 1986-04-03 Bridgestone Corp Method for treating golf ball surface with glow discharge plasma and apparatus therefor
GB2259185A (en) * 1991-08-20 1993-03-03 Bridgestone Corp Method and apparatus for surface treatment

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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DE19727525A1 (en) * 1997-06-30 1999-01-07 Bayer Ag Process for coating silicone elastomers
DE102009041132B4 (en) * 2009-09-14 2014-08-14 Schott Ag Method for producing a sliding layer and pharmaceutical packaging with sliding layer
DE102011009057B4 (en) 2011-01-20 2015-12-10 Schott Ag Plasma treatment apparatus for the production of coatings and methods for the internal plasma treatment of containers
RU2640768C1 (en) * 2016-12-29 2018-01-11 Федеральное государственное бюджетное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Российский экономический университет имени Г.В. Плеханова" (ФГБОУ ВО "РЭУ им. Г.В. Плеханова") Method of elastomer surface modification
CN118491799B (en) * 2024-07-08 2024-09-20 常州市白鹭电器有限公司 Adhesive tape coating device and coating method

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GB1120804A (en) * 1965-01-13 1968-07-24 Richard George Christopher Jen Method of reducing the coefficient of friction of elastomer surfaces
GB1281976A (en) * 1969-11-07 1972-07-19 Montedison Spa Antifriction and abhesive coating compositions

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GB2164947A (en) * 1984-08-13 1986-04-03 Bridgestone Corp Method for treating golf ball surface with glow discharge plasma and apparatus therefor
GB2259185A (en) * 1991-08-20 1993-03-03 Bridgestone Corp Method and apparatus for surface treatment
US5316739A (en) * 1991-08-20 1994-05-31 Bridgestone Corporation Method and apparatus for surface treatment
GB2259185B (en) * 1991-08-20 1995-08-16 Bridgestone Corp Method and apparatus for surface treatment

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DE3036026C2 (en) 1984-05-03
JPS5664851A (en) 1981-06-02
DE3036026A1 (en) 1981-04-09
CH644139A5 (en) 1984-07-13
GB2107923A (en) 1983-05-05
FR2465527A1 (en) 1981-03-27
JPS5820968B2 (en) 1983-04-26
SU1081183A1 (en) 1984-03-23
GB2107923B (en) 1985-02-20
GB2059971B (en) 1985-02-20
FR2465527B1 (en) 1984-01-06

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