The surfaces of HDPE (BASFs Lupolen 5280HX), LDPE (Malen E) and iPP (Malen P, Poland) similar to2-mm plate targets were bombarded with 100-keV He+ or 130-keV Ar+ (10(14)-10(16) ions/cm(2); ion energy stream density, <0.1 muA/ cm(2)). Surface I morphology (AFM, SEM), modifications in macromolecules (EPR spectra), and microindentation and microffiction (Nanotest 600, UK) were examined. The hardness of iPP fell and the surface area of HDPE was expanded. Elastic recoil detection analysis of PE showed H-2 to leave and deplete the surface layer by up to 25% (diamond-like C was believed to form in the top layer). The Ar+-bombarded iPP and the He+-bombarded HDPE were resp. most and least resistant to wear.