Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composite coatings doped with copper acetate and polyethylene (PE) were fabricated on rubber substrate by electron beam dispersion technique. The effects of dopant nature and glow discharge treatment on morphology, structural and tribological properties of the coatings were investigated. The results showed that Cu and PE doping change the surface structure of PTFE-based composite coatings due to the chemical reactions between the dispersion products. Cu-PE-PTFE coatings show the columnar and layered growth models without and with discharge treatment. Cu adding decreases the crystallinity, branched degree and unsaturated degree of PE coatings, but increases the branched degree and unsaturated bonds in the PE-PTFE coatings. Glow discharge enhances the crystallinity and ordering degree of composite coatings. Friction experiments indicated the significant difference of composite coatings in the nature of their destruction during friction. PE-PTFE coating is characterized of the brittle fracture with clear failure boundaries but Cu-PE-PTFE coating shows a rough surface without cracking and delaminating after friction. Cu doping increases the dynamic coefficient of friction of PE and PE-PTFE composite coatings, but discharge plasma decreases the dynamic coefficient of friction. Cu-PE-PTFE composite coating after discharge treatment has the decreased dynamic coefficient of friction and improved wear resistance. (c) 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers