Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Polyethylene Terephthalate Track-Etched Membranes after Steam and Radiation Sterilization

Abstract

Abstract—The article presents the results of studying the mechanical characteristics and tribological properties of PET track-etched membranes (TM) obtained by irradiating PET films with argon ions and subsequent etching. The article also shows the changes in the TM mechanical and tribological properties after radiation and steam sterilization. It is established that the sterilization process reduces elongation at break, the Young’s modulus, relative yield strength, and tensile stress. Tribological tests of TM demonstrated a friction coefficient of 0.08–0.17. The tests also showed the nature of the counterbody impact on the material surface, manifested in the formation of “grooves” of various sizes, “jamming” of the surface, and change in pore shape. It was established that TM sterilization does not significantly affect the behavior of the friction coefficient or nature of counterbody impact on the membrane surface.