Comparison of various C2Hx for high‐temperature lubrication by in situ pyrolysis

The ability of directed streams of three representative hydrocarbon gases ‐ acetylene C₂H₄, ethylene C₂H₄, and ethane C₂H₆ ‐ to provide extended‐duration lubrication to high‐temperature sliding contacts via surface deposition of pyrolytic carbon has been demonstrated. One order‐ and two order‐of‐magnitude reductions in friction coefficient and wear rate of self‐mated silicon nitride sliding contacts can be realised by this technique. The ability of these gases to provide ‘adequate’ lubrication at high temperature is illustrated through mapping the normal load/temperature/precursor flow rate space over which reduced friction may be maintained. Acetylene was the most effective precursor for pyrolytic carbon deposition, providing adequate lubrication over the broadest range of normal load/temperature/flow rate combinations, while ethane was the least effective. The boundary of the regions of adequate lubrication represents the locus of contact conditions with equal rates of lubricious carbon deposition and removal by wear. The shape of this boundary, as explored in the mapping study, supports a proposed model in which the removal rate is proportional to the product of normal load and sliding speed, while the deposition rate is proportional to the product of precursor flow rate and an Arrhenius temperature dependence.     

Evaluation of Friction Behavior and Its Contact-Area Dependence at the Micro- and Nano-Scales

The friction behavior of two different materials, mica and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), was evaluated at the nanoscale with an atomic force microscope and with a custom-built ball-on-flat microtribometer at the microscale. The same counterface (Si₃N₄ probe), environmental conditions (25 °C, RH < 10%), and similar load ranges were maintained for all experiments. The friction-force data obtained were analyzed for contact-area dependence. Friction force between silicon nitride and mica at the nanoscale showed initial non-linearity with normal load up to a certain load, beyond which surface damage was observed resulting in a linear dependence of friction force on normal load. At the microscale, the friction force of the mica–silicon nitride interface exhibited linear dependence on normal load. Friction force between silicon nitride and UHMWPE exhibited non-linearity with normal load at both the length scales, for the applied load ranges of our experiment. An appropriate contact mechanics theory was applied to calculate an interfacial shear strength value for the material pair at both the scales. The values at both the scales were similar, when the conditions were carefully maintained to be the same across scales.     

Tribological characteristics of low-pressure plasma-sprayed A12O3 coating from room temperature to 800 °C

The tribological characteristics of low-pressure plasma-sprayed (LPPS) Al₂O₃ coating sliding against alumina ball have been investigated from room temperature to 800 °C. These friction and wear data have been compared quantitatively with those of bulk sintered alumina to obtain a better understanding of wear mechanisms at elevated temperatures. The friction and wear of Al₂O₃ coating show a strong dependence on temperature, changing from a mild to a severe wear regime with the increase of temperature. The coefficient of friction at room temperature is approximately 0.17 to 0.42, depending on applied load. The tribochemical reaction between the coating surface and water vapor in the environment and the presence of the hydroxide film on the Al₂O₃ coating reduce the friction and wear at room temperature as contrasted to those of bulk sintered alumina. At intermediate temperatures, from 400 to 600 °C, the friction and wear behavior of Al₂O₃ coating depends on the inter-granular fracture and pull-out of Al₂O₃ grains. At above 700 °C, formation and deformation of fine grain layer, and abrasive wear in the form of removal of fine alumina grains further facilitate the friction and wear process of Al₂O₃ coating.     

Effects of glass-to-rubber transition on the temperature,load and speed sensitivities of nano-ZrO2 reinforced polybenzoxazine

In the present work, nano ZrO₂ reinforced polybenzoxazine composites were produced. The friction behaviors of ZrO₂–polybenzoxazine nanocomposites were evaluated on a chase friction material test machine. An attempt was made to examine the variation of storage modulus, loss modulus and glass-to-rubber transition on the effect of the temperature, load and speed sensitivity of ZrO₂–polybenzoxazine nanocomposites. The results revealed that the temperature and load sensitivity of nanocomposites increased with the increasing of load and temperature. This behavior was speculated to be due to the effect of the temperature dependence of modulus in the surface topography and strength. But speed sensitivity varies with the temperature, due to the effect of temperature dependence of viscoelastic response in the energy dissipation.     

Tribological characteristics of silicon nitride at elevated temperatures

A sliding friction-and-wear test for silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) was conducted using a ball-on-disk specimen configuration. The material used in this study was HIPed silicon nitride. The tests were carried out from room temperature to 1000°C using self-mated silicon nitride couples in laboratory air. The worn surfaces were observed by SEM and the debris particles from the worn surfaces were analyzed for oxidation by XPS. The normal load was found to have a more significant influence on the friction coefficient of the silicon nitride than an elevated temperature. The specific wear rate was found to decrease along with the sliding distance. The specific wear rate at 29.4 N and 1000°C was 292 times larger than that at room temperature. The main wear mechanism from room temperature to 750°C was caused by brittle fracture, whereas from 750 to 1000°C the wear mechanism was mainly influenced by the oxidation of silicon nitride due to the increased temperature. The oxidation of silicon nitride at a high temperature was a significant factor in the wear increase.     

Observation of delamination wear of lubricious tribofilm formed on Si3N4 during sliding against WC-Co in humidity air

Hot pressed silicon nitride that was exposed to high (90%) and low (32%) relative humidity was examined in ball-on-disc geometry against cemented carbide ball at various normal loads. The study indicated that Si₃N₄ tested at high R.H. gave less specific wear rate compared with Si₃N₄ at low R.H. The friction coefficient of Si₃N₄−WC-6% Co tribopairs was found in the range of 0.32–0.39 and 0.05–0.17 at low humidity and high humidity respectively. It is suggested that adsorbed moisture markedly affected the wear and friction properties of silicon nitride.Following the tests, SEM was used to elucidate the wear mechanism and particularly to delineate the effects of relative humidity on the wear and friction. SEM micrographs showed that the main wear mechanism at low relative humidity (32%) was caused by mechanical wear including abrasive grooves, large holes and polishing, whereas at high relative humidity (90%) the main mechanism was highly influenced by a tribochemical reaction related to the moisture adsorption from the environment. It is concluded that the removal of lubricious tribolayer was occurred by delamination induced crack propagation.     

Tribological properties of a Fe3Al material in sulfuric acid corrosive environment

The tribological properties of a Fe₃Al material in an aqueous solution of 1 mol/l H₂SO₄ corrosive environment sliding against a Si₃N₄ ceramic ball are studied using an Optimol SRV oscillating friction and wear tester in a ball-on-disc contact configuration. We investigate the effects of load and sliding speed on tribological properties of the Fe₃Al material. The worn surfaces of the Fe₃Al material are examined by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS). It is found that the Fe₃Al material exhibits better wear resistance than 1Cr18Ni9Ti stainless steel in the sulfuric acid corrosive environment. The wear rate of the Fe₃Al material is on the order of 10^?13 m³/m and increases with increasing load, but does not vary below the sliding speed of 0.08 m/s then dramatically increases with increasing sliding speed. The friction coefficient of the Fe₃Al material is in the range of 0.1–0.28, and slightly increases with increasing load, and does not vary with the increase of sliding speed. The Fe₃Al material occurs tribochemical reaction with the H₂SO₄ aqueous solution in the friction process. Wear mechanism of the Fe₃Al material is dominated by microploughing and corrosive wear.     

Friction and wear behaviour of hard and superhard coatings at cryogenic temperatures

The work presents data on friction and wear behaviour of pin-on-disc pairs with superhard diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings and hard coatings of zirconium nitride (ZrN) and titanium nitride (TiN) in liquid nitrogen with loads of 2.5 and 10 N and sliding speed of 0.06 m/s. It is shown that at cryogenic temperatures the friction coefficients of pairs of two types of DLC coatings obtained by vacuum-arc deposition of filtered high-speed carbon plasma fluxes depend to a great deal on the mechanical properties of the coatings defined by predominant sp² or sp³ hybridization of valence electrons. A friction coefficient of 0.76 was observed for friction pairs of superhard (90 GPa) DLC coatings having properties similar to those of diamond. For “softer” DLC coatings of 40 GPa and properties similar to those of graphite the friction coefficient shows lower values (0.24–0.48) dependent on normal load and counterbody material. The DLC coatings obtained by the filtered arc technology exhibit good wear resistance and have strong adhesion to the substrate under friction in liquid nitrogen. With a normal load of 10 N under cryogenic temperature a low wear rate (of the order of 7.2×10⁻⁴ nm/cycle) was found for superhard DLC coatings. The friction coefficient of pairs with hard ZrN and superhard DLC coatings on steel discs was revealed to be linearly dependent on the counterbody material hardness between 20 and 100 GPa. The hardness of the pin was varied by means of depositing TiN or DLC coatings and also by using high-hardness compounds (boron nitride and synthetic diamond). Proceeding this way can be promising since it offers the possibility of creating low-temperature junctions of required friction properties.     

The importance of static friction characteristics of brake friction couple,and methods of testing

Detailed knowledge about static friction materials is required for the accurate calculation of the braking torque needed to hold a load at rest. This is particularly important for brakes in cranes, elevators, hoists and mining winding machines, which must meet specifications such as the definite value of the static safe braking factor. The study of static friction is also a useful supplement to the dynamic testing of brake friction materials. In such a study, precise control of the temperature on the surfaces is possible, as well as surface roughness, and existence of the third-body can be accurately identified. It is an important fact that the coefficient of static friction, μ_s, is not an invariant, and it cannot be adequately represented in many engineering applications as a single number. The study of static friction dependence upon factors such as stationary contact time, rate of tangential loading, and surface temperature, contributes to a better understanding of friction phenomena. In this paper, a test apparatus is presented, and a series of experiments is described. The experiments reveal the static friction characteristics of some brake friction materials.     

Microscopic Studies of Friction and Wear at the Benzotriazole/Copper Interface

Interfacial friction and topographic changes at copper surfaces have been measured in situ with AFM in nitric acid and in acidic and neutral solutions of benzotriazole (BTA), a known corrosion inhibitor. In addition, changes in the thickness of the copper film have been measured ex situ using stylus profilometry as a function of solution treatment. These measurements demonstrate isotropic dissolution in 0.10 M HNO₃ solutions and little change in neutral solutions of BTA. However in acidified solutions of BTA, the formation of a substantial reaction overlayer, the presence of higher interfacial friction, and the tip-mediated, localized dissolution of copper interface is observed. These measurements indicate that BTA plays a multifunctional role under acidic conditions. In the absence of mechanical action, BTA acts to passivate the surface from isotropic etching under acidic conditions. In regions of interfacial contact, the dissolution of a BTA-Cu reaction layer leads to the localized removal of copper through a tip-mediated process.     

Friction and wear behavior of Ni-P coated Si3N4 reinforced Al6061 composites

Al6061 matrix composite reinforced with nickel coated silicon nitride particles were manufactured by liquid metallurgy route. Microstructure and tribological properties of both matrix alloy and developed composites have been evaluated. Dry sliding friction and wear tests were carried out using pin on disk type machine over a load range of 20-100 N and sliding velocities of range 0.31-1.57 m/s. Results revealed that, nickel coated silicon nitride particles are uniformly distributed through out the matrix alloy. Al6061-Ni-P-Si₃N₄ composite exhibited lower coefficient of friction and wear rate compared to matrix alloy. The coefficient of friction of both matrix alloy and developed composite decreased with increase in load up to 80 N. Beyond this, with further increase in the load, the coefficient of friction increased slightly. However, with increase in sliding velocity coefficient of friction of both matrix alloy and developed composite increases continuously. Wear rates of both matrix alloy and developed composites increased with increase in both load and sliding velocity. Worn surfaces and wear debris was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for possible wear mechanisms. Energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS) techniques were used to identify the oxides formed on the worn surfaces and wear debris.     

The effect of lubricant additives on friction and wear studies of polyphenylene sulphide

Polyphenylene sulphide is a polymer with good thermal stability and high crystallinity. This paper summarizes the results of friction and wear studies of polyphenylene sulphide and its composites made with conventional solid lubricants to ascertain the suitability of the material as a matrix for solid lubricant additives. The polymer itself has a high coefficient of friction. Wear rate increases with load and speed. Addition of solid lubricant additives helps in improving the friction and wear of the polymer. Composites with MoS₂-Sb₂O₃ and PTFE gave better results than composites made by the addition of graphite and MoS₂ graphite. Wear rate of these composites increased with load and speed; but load and speed had little effect on friction.     

Tribological behaviour of uni-directionally aligned silicon nitride against steel

Textured silicon nitride, where the β-Si₃N₄ grains were uni-directionally aligned, was fabricated and the effect of anisotropy in microstructure on tribological properties was investigated, compared with a conventional Si₃N₄. The wear tests were carried out for the tribopair of textured silicon nitride ceramic and steel using a block-on-ring tester without lubrication. For the textured Si₃N₄, tribological properties were evaluated in three directions with respect to the grain alignment; the plane normal to the grain alignment and in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the grain alignment in the side plane. The friction coefficient values of each specimen were of the same level under the same sliding conditions. The values of specific wear rate for the plane normal to the grain alignment were lower than those of the other specimens for all sliding conditions. It is considered that the high wear resistance of this plane was caused by restricted microfracture, such as grain dropping and minimal abrasion by wear debris. Both the friction coefficient and specific wear rate were decreased with increasing sliding speed and normal load because of the formation of lubricative FeO between the sliding surfaces.     

Effects of ZrSiO4 in non-metallic brake friction materials on friction performance

The effects of ZrSiO₄ (zirconium silicate or zircon) as an abrasive on brake friction performance and friction layers of non-metallic brake friction materials were evaluated. The experimental results indicated that ZrSiO₄ enhances friction coefficient, but depresses wear rate. However, ZrSiO₄ can improve the negative wear rate of the friction materials. The formation and development of friction layers are complex so that the friction layers formed during friction process were carefully characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), light microscopy (LM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. Following characteristics of friction layers were identified—(1) dynamic behavior: the structure of friction layers changes at the different surfacial positions and across sample's thickness; (2) friction condition dependence: formation of friction layers depends upon temperatures, time, and thermal history such as fade and recovery; and (3) compositional dependence: the compositions of friction surface and bulk differ, nevertheless the bulk's composition determine the friction layers. The phenomena as baryte films, altered layers, iron patches, and zircon loose areas formed on the friction surfaces were observed. Baryte films were detected on the friction surfaces of Zr-0 (sample without zircon). Baryte films have positive effect on wear property, but the films disappear in the presence of ZrSiO₄. The amount of carbonaceous materials decreases with the increase in ZrSiO₄. Only negligible thickness of altered layers was found on the friction surfaces of Zr-0 sample, while samples containing zircon show out relatively thick altered layers. Both iron-patches and zircon loose areas increase with the ZrSiO₄ contents. The relationships among formulation, friction performance, and friction surfaces were summarized.     

Friction and wear properties of CN<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>/SiC in water lubrication

Amorphous carbon nitride coatings (a-CN_x) were deposited on SiC disk by ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD). The tribological behavior of a-CN_x coating sliding against SiC ball in water was investigated and compared with that of SiC/SiC system at room temperature. The influences of testing conditions on friction coefficient and specific wear rate of both kinds of tribopairs were studied. The worn surfaces on disks were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results indicate that the running-in period of a-CN_x/SiC was shorter than that of SiC/SiC system in water. At a sliding velocity of 120 mm/s, the mean steady-state friction coefficients of SiC/SiC (0.096) was higher than that of a-CN_x/SiC (0.05), while at 160 mm/s, lower friction coefficient (0.01) was obtained for SiC/SiC in water. With an increment of normal load, the mean steady-state friction coefficients after running-in first decreased, reaching a minimum value, and then increased. For self-mated SiC, the specific wear rate of SiC ball was a little higher than that of SiC disk, while for a-CN_x/SiC, the specific wear rate of SiC ball were 10 times smaller than that of a-CN_x coating. Furthermore, the specific wear rate of SiC ball sliding against a-CN_x coating was reduced by a factor up to 100~1000 in comparison to that against SiC in water. The wear mechanism of SiC/SiC system in water is related to micro-fracture of ceramic and instability of tribochemical reaction layer. Conversely, wear mechanism for a-CN_x/SiC is related to formation and transfer of easy-shear friction layer.     

Boric Acid Self-Lubrication of B2O3-Filled Polymer Composites

Utility of boric oxide particles in PTFE and epoxy composite materials, in sliding contact with stainless steel, is explored. Boric oxide filler can provide PTFE with a two-decade reduction in wear rate, to 10^?5 mm₃/N-m. With adequate ambient humidity reduced wear rate can be achieved without inducing counterface abrasion, and the friction of PTFE is further reduced slightly. In such environments, boric oxide fillers can also reduce friction coefficient of epoxy from μ>0.7 to as low as μ=0.07. This lubrication mechanism results from replenishment of lubricous boric acid lamellar solid provided to the sliding interface by reaction of boric oxide with ambient water. Maintenance of the lubricating effect depends upon a sufficient rate of boric acid formation, relative to subsequent removal by wear. It is demonstrated that this formation/removal balance is affected by relative humidity and volume fraction of boric oxide filler, as well as normal load and sliding speed.     

Tribological behaviours of Cu nanoparticles recovered from electroplating effluent as lubricant additive

Nowadays, many efforts have been made to minimise the pollution risks of copper electroplating effluent, such as chemical methods, physical methods, etc. Among them, chemical reduction has been used in this paper for its simplicity and potential for industrial production, and the recovered Cu nanoparticles (CuNPs) were innovatively used as a lubricant additive to prolong the lifetime of lubrication equipment and enhance energy conservation via emission reduction. In this paper, the relationships of the remaining Cu²⁺ concentration ([Cu²⁺]) with NaBH₄/CuSO₄ mole ratio, reaction time and reaction temperature were discussed separately. Then, L₉(3³) orthogonal experiment was carried out to determine optimal reaction conditions. Finally, the tribological behaviours [e.g. friction coefficients (FCs) and wear scar diameter (WSD)] of base oil samples with and without addition of the recovered CuNPs were investigated. Results indicate that the optimal reaction conditions were as follows: NaBH₄/CuSO₄ (4∶6) react at 30°C for 25 min, under which [Cu²⁺] was minimised to 0·2 mg L^?1 with a mean particle size of 33 nm. The FC and WSD of oil with 0·3 wt-%CuNPs were decreased by 33·4 and 19% respectively compared with the base oil. This compound oil was much more suitable for moderate load and high load than for low load. This paper provides a new idea on dealing with the copper electroplating effluent.     

Dry sliding wear behaviors of La2O3–WSi2–MoSi2 composite against alloy steel

A molybdenum disilicide (MoSi₂) matrix composite with the addition of WSi₂ and La₂O₃ (RWM) was fabricated as a wear resistant material by self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) and hot pressing (HP). This composite was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The wear resistance of MoSi₂ against steel is significantly improved by the addition of both WSi₂ and La₂O₃, and it is attributed to the increase in hardness and toughness of the composite. It is found that the wear behavior of the RWM is sensitive to sliding speed, load and hardness of the counter-face material. When worn against a steel with a lower hardness (A), the wear rate of RWM increases with an increase of sliding speed, and increases initially and then decreases with an increase of load. The material removal mechanisms varied from ploughing wear at low load and speed to serious adhesive wear at high load and speed. When worn against a steel with a higher hardness (B), the wear resistance of the RWM improved and the material removal mechanism were brittle fracture wear at low speed and adhesive wear at high speed.     

Solid Lubrication of Silicon Nitride with Cesium-Based Compounds: Part I — Rolling Contact Endurance,Friction and Wear

The high temperature rolling contact endurance, friction, and wear of 16 cesium-based compounds with solid lubricating properties were investigated on silicon nitride (Si₃N₄). Some were also investigated on bearing tool steels and several state-of-the-art high temperature solid lubricants were investigated for comparison. Experiments were conducted in air at temperatures up to 650°C, contact stresses up to 4.34 GPa, and a pure rolling surface speed of 1.8 m/s. Although all of the cesium-based compounds exhibited self-lubricating properties, the best overall performance was achieved with a cesium silicate reaction film formed in-situ (Cs₂O·xSiO₂) and a hydrated cesium silicate bonded coating (Cs₂O·3SiO₂·nH₂O). Bonded coatings of cesium oxythiotungstate + tungsten disulfide mixture (Cs₂WOS₃ + WS₂) and cesium hydroxide (CsOH) also performed well. It is hypothesized that high temperature chemical reactions between the cesium-containing compounds and the silicon nitride surface form a lubricious cesium silicate film.     

Friction and Wear Characteristics of BaCr2O4 Ceramics at Elevated Temperatures in Sliding Against Sintered Alumina Ball

In this article, friction and wear characteristics of BaCr₂O₄ ceramics have been investigated using a high-temperature friction and wear tester from room temperature to 800?°C in dry sliding against sintered alumina ball. At room temperature, the friction coefficient and wear rate of BaCr₂O₄ ceramics are quite high. BaCr₂O₄ ceramics exhibit low friction coefficients and small wear rates with temperature increasing up to 400?C600?°C. The oxidation reaction of BaCr₂O₄ during high-temperature wear tests is responsible for the tribological properties. The oxidized product of BaCr₂O₄ is BaCrO₄, which forms a smooth self-lubricating film on the worn surface to effectively reduce friction and wear. However, at 800?°C, severe oxidation reduces the relative density of sintered BaCr₂O₄ ceramics, and further expedites the materials removal process.