| Abstract: | A reciprocating wear tester was used to investigated the nature of antiwear boundary lubrication films formed by several ZDDP additives in mineral oil. Under the test conditions examined in this work, antiwear films are relatively thick (approximately 0.1 μm), and so can be readily detected by optical microscopy. Film formation occurs after only a few centimetres of sliding on smooth hard surfaces, whereupon wear essentialy ceases. On rough surfaces, film formation does not take place until the surfaces have run-in, whereupon wear again ceases. Antiwear films did not form on steel pins softer than Rc 25, which wore by an oxidative mechanism. The extent of run-in or rough surfaces before film formation can be used as a measure of the effectiveness of an antiwear additive. Antiwear films are resistant to wear, so once formed they can provide sustained wear protection in base oil. However, antiwear films can be removed by wear in the presence of hydroperoxides, or by running against a new rough countersurface. |
