The tribological properties and action mechanism of non-active organic molybdate ester and its combination with ZDDP

A non-active molybdate ester (ME) was synthesized in a batch process. Its tribological performance and its synergistic effect with ZDDP in 5CST were evaluated using a four-ball machine, and the chemistry of tribofilms was analyzed with XANES. The results indicate that ME possesses excellent anti-wear and friction-reducing properties, not load-carrying capacity. Both ME and ZDDP show excellent synergistic tribological behavior in 5CST. According to the XANES results, the tribochemical films generated from ME alone are mainly composed of MoO₃, and the tribochemical films generated from the oil blends containing ME and ZDDP consist mainly of MoS₂, sulphate and polyphosphate.     

Tribological Studies on Scuffing Due to the Influence of Carbon Dioxide Used as a Refrigerant in Compressors

Because hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants in air-conditioning systems are known to have a negative effect on the environment, carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a candidate as a replacement refrigerant. Research work related to CO₂ as a refrigerant has been focused primarily on its thermodynamic performance, whereas work in the area of tribology related to carbon dioxide is absent. In this study, the effects of CO₂ used as a refrigerant on the tribological behavior of surf aces in contact in such systems were investigated. Controlled experiments were performed at constant loads in environments of CO₂ and the conventional HFC refrigerant, R134a, as well as under conditions of step-increasing loads in the presence of refrigerant (CO₂ or R134a) and polyalkylene glycol lubricant. The experiments were performed on a high-pressure tribometer that is particularly suited for tribological testing of compressor contact interfaces. The tribological behavior of contacting surfaces in a CO₂ environment was nearly identical to that in an R134a environment when tested under the same operating conditions.     

Tribological investigation of cast iron air-conditioning compressor surfaces in CO2 refrigerant

Tribological investigations of air-conditioning compressors have been a topic of great interest in recent years and gray cast iron has been a commonly used material by various compressor manufacturers. The scope of this paper is to determine the role of oxygen and in particular carbon dioxide refrigerant (R744) in cast iron samples tribologically tested using an Ultra High Pressure Tribometer that is suitable for tribological testing of compressor contact interfaces that operate with carbon dioxide refrigerant. A series of experiments was performed in environments of air, nitrogen (N₂), oxygen (O₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). While it was found that the presence of oxygen is beneficial, CO₂ has a more positive effect on the surfaces than in the case of pure O₂ suggesting that the use of CO₂ promotes a different wear mechanism. Also, it was found that CO₂ has better tribological performance over a range of pressures between 100 psi (0.69 MPa) to 600 psi (4.1 MPa), compared to lower pressures. Furthermore, CO₂ was compared with tetrafluorethane (R134a), a common hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant and found to have superior tribological performance. Two surface chemical analysis techniques were utilized to examine the surfaces after tribological testing. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) was used to track changes in the elemental composition while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was utilized to detect the different chemical states resulting from compound formation on the tribologically tested surfaces. It was found that CO₂ leads to better tribological performance of the interface due to the formation of carbonates on the surface, which reduce friction and prevent wear.     

The influence of phase transformations and oxidation on the galling resistance and low friction behaviour of a laser processed Co-based alloy

The effect of oxide formation on the tribological properties of a CO₂-laser processed Co-based material (Stellite 21) was investigated under high-load sliding conditions in air and in an oxygen free environment. The tests were carried out by sliding two identical specimens against each other in a load-scanning test. A friction coefficient at a level of about 0.20 was observed for both test environments. However, the wear of the Co base material is accelerated when the sliding is performed in an oxygen free environment. The friction level appears to be controlled by the shearing of hcp {0 0 0 1} planes rather than by the presence of an oxide layer.     

Tribological Behaviors of 52100 Steel in Carbon Dioxide Atmosphere

The tribological behavior of 52100 steel in a carbon dioxide (CO₂) atmosphere was investigated using a reciprocating ball-on-disk tribometer. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to identify the adsorbed surface layers and tribochemical products. We found that CO₂can substantially reduce friction and wear of the steel. Adsorbed and reacted surface layers containing iron carbonate and/or bicarbonate play an important role in reducing friction. A disk, exposed once to CO₂atmosphere, also shows a low friction for a long time even in a vacuum environment. An optimum CO₂pressure exists for effectively reducing friction and wear. A low-pressure CO₂atmosphere is insufficient to produce iron carbonate. In contrast, high pressure engenders serious chemical wear.     

The tribological properties and tribochemical analysis of blends of poly alpha-olefins with neopentyl polyol esters

The tribological properties of blends of poly alpha-olefins with neopentyl polyol esters were evaluated with a four-ball tester. Results show blends display better tribological properties than pure neopentyl polyol esters. So blends can replace pure neopentyl polyol esters to reduce cost. The film-forming properties were also investigated. The worn surfaces were analyzed by SEM, LSCM and XPS. The surface analysis reveals chemical adsorption films and chemical reaction films composed of Fe₃O₄, FeO, Fe₂O₃ and [Fe(CH₃C(O)CHC(O)CH₃)₃] were formed on worn surfaces. Also, PAOs and neopentyl polyol esters get a synergistic boundary lubrication effect under both antiwear and extreme pressure conditions.     

Boundary lubrication mechanisms of carbon coatings by MoDTC and ZDDP additives

Fuel economy and reduction of harmful elements in lubricants are becoming important issues in the automotive industry. An approach to respond to these requirements is the potential use of low friction coatings in engine components exposed to boundary lubrication conditions. Diamond-like-carbon (DLC) coatings present a wide range of tribological behavior, including friction coefficients in ultra-high vacuum below 0.02. The engine oil environment which provides similar favourable air free conditions might lead to such low friction levels.In this work, the friction and wear properties of DLC coatings in boundary lubrication conditions have been investigated as a function of the hydrogen content in the carbon coating. Their interaction with ZDDP which is the exclusive antiwear agent in most automotive lubrication blends and friction-modifier additive MoDTC has been studied. Hydrogenated DLC coatings can be better lubricated in the presence of the friction-modifier additive MoDTC through the formation of MoS₂ solid lubricant material than can non-hydrogenated DLC. In contrast, the antiwear additive ZDDP does not significantly affect the wear behavior of DLC coatings. The good tribological performances of the DLC coatings suggest that they can contribute to reduce friction and wear in the engine, and so permit the significant decrease of additive concentration.     

Effect of Blowing Air and Floating Sand-dust Particles on the Friction and Wear Behavior of PTFE, UHMWPE and PI

The friction and wear behaviors of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), and polyimide (PI) have been comparatively evaluated under dry sliding, blowing air, and simulated sand-dust conditions. The tribological tests were conducted on an improved block-on-ring test rig equipped with an attachment for simulating the sand-dust environment. The reason for the difference in the tribological behavior of these polymers under the three test conditions was also comparatively discussed, based on scanning electron microscopic examination of the worn polymer specimens and counterfaces. Under blowing air conditions, the decrease of the contact temperature produced by blowing air led to the increase in the shearing strength of the sliding surface when compared with dry sliding conditions and hence to cause an increase in the friction coefficient and a remarkable decrease in the wear rate of PTFE and UHMWPE. On the contrary, blowing air produced a decrease in the friction coefficient of PI because of the formation of transfer film on the counterfaces, and an increase in the wear rate, because the blowing air considerably promoted the transfer of PI onto the counterfaces when compared with dry sliding conditions. Both PTFE and UHMWPE registered the lowest wear rate under sand-dust conditions, owing to the tribolayer formation on the worn surfaces, while PI exhibited the highest wear rate because no tribolayer was formed during the abrasive wear process.     

Mechanical and tribological behavior of the metal matrix composite AA6061/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/C

This study investigates the influence of zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂) and graphite (C) on the mechanical and tribological behavior of aluminum-based metal matrix composite (AA6061) fabricated through the stir casting. Metal matrix composites (MMC) are prepared with the following weight percentages: 100 % AA; 96 % AA-2 % ZrO₂-2 % C; 88 % AA-6 % ZrO₂-6 % C; 92 % AA-6 % ZrO₂-2 % C; and 96 % AA-2 % ZrO₂-6 % C. The microstructure and the mechanical and tribological behavior are characterized, and their correlations are obtained. Microstructural studies of the MMC reveal a uniform distribution of ZrO₂ and C particles in the AA6061 matrix. The addition of ZrO₂ improves the hardness from 6 % to 12 % (30 HRC to 40.94 HRC) and the ultimate tensile strength from 8 % to 15 % (128 MPa to 166.3 MPa) of the base metal (AA6061). The tribological behavior of wear and the frictional properties of the MMC are also studied by performing dry sliding wear test using pin-on-disc method. Result shows that the minimum and maximum wear rates of MMC are 5 E-9 and 6.2 E-9 (g/mm), respectively, at speed of 850 rpm and constant sliding distance of 1000 m.     

Phase composition, microstructure, and tribological behavior of chrome-based ARE coatings

The paper deals with studying the structure, as well as the mechanical and tribological properties, of chrome-based coatings deposited by activated reactive evaporation (ARE) in the active atmosphere of N₂, CO₂, C₂H₂, and their binary mixtures (50: 50). Based on the data of the phase composition, conditions for the interaction of a metal being deposited with the active gas have been analyzed. A method of restoring the diffuse scattering by coatings deposited on substrates has been used to investigate specific features of the structural state formed in a coating synthesized in the acetylene-nitrogen mixture and containing the nanostructured carbide phase Cr₃C₂. The results have also indicated the possible formation of microdomains, which contain substantial amounts of free or hydrogenated solid carbon, in some of the coatings. This may explain the fairly high tribological characteristics of these coatings.     

Antifrictional composites based on chemically modified UHMWPE. Part 2. The effect of nanofillers on the mechanical and triboengineering properties of chemically modified UHMWPE

The mechanical and tribological properties of nanocomposites based on chemically modified ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene are determined. The super-molecular and chemical structure of the nanocomposites based on the block copolymers UHMWPE-grafted UHMWPE and UHMWPE-grafted HDPE are studied by the methods of X-ray structural analysis, IR spectroscopy, scanning differential calorimetry, and electron microscopy. The mechanical and tribological properties of the nanocomposites based on the block copolymers are found to differ insignificantly from those of the nanocomposites on the base of non-modified UHMWPE. The crystallization and formation of super-molecular structure in the heterogeneous materials under study are shown to depend on the heterogeneity of the distribution of the nanofillers. The authors believe that chemical modification in terms of grafting polar monomers is unable to improve the adhesion of the nanofillers to the high-molecular matrix (UHMWPE). Thus, the wear resistance of the UHMWPE-based nanocomposites is mostly governed by the crystallization conditions and type of supermolecular structure formed during crystallization (either spherulitic or lamellar).     

Multi-environmental lubrication performance and lubrication mechanism of MoS2/Sb2O3/C composite films

MoS₂–Sb₂O₃–C composite films exhibit adaptive behavior, where surface chemistry changes with environment to maintain the good friction and wear characteristics. In previous work on nanocomposite coatings grown by PVD, this type of material was called a “chameleon” coating. Coatings used in this report were applied by burnishing mixed powders of MoS₂, Sb₂O₃ and graphite. The solid lubricant MoS₂ and graphite were selected to lubricate over a wide and complementary range including vacuum, dry air and humid air. Sb₂O₃ was used as a dopant because it acts synergistically with MoS₂, improving friction and wear properties. The MoS₂–Sb₂O₃–C composite films showed lower friction and longer wear life than either single component MoS₂ or C film in humid air. Very or even super low friction and long wear-life were observed in dry nitrogen and vacuum. The excellent tribological performance was verified and repeated in cycles between humid air and dry nitrogen. The formation of tribo-films at rubbing contacts was studied to identify the lubricating chemistry and microstructure, which varied with environmental conditions. Micro-Raman spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) were used to determine surface chemistry, while scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used for microstructural analysis. The tribological improvement and lubrication mechanism of MoS₂–Sb₂O₃–C composite films were caused by enrichment of the active lubricant at the contact surface, alignment of the crystal orientation of the lubricant grains, and enrichment of the non lubricant materials below the surface. Sb₂O₃, which is not lubricious, was covered by the active lubricants (MoS₂ – dry, C – humid air). Clearly, the dynamics of friction during environmental cycling cleaned some Sb₂O₃ particles of one lubricant and coated it with the active lubricant for the specific environment. Mechanisms of lubrication and the role of the different materials will be discussed.     

Effects of equivalence ratio and carbon dioxide concentration on premixed charge compression ignition of gasoline and diesel-like fuel blends

The effects of fuel/air equivalence ratio and CO₂ concentration in fuel/air charge on the ignition process of gasoline and diesel-like fuel (n-heptane) blends on a rapid compression machine are investigated in this study. Results showed that the effects of equivalence ratio on ignition delays of two ignition stages are varied. As equivalence ratio increases from 0.3 to 0.5, the first stage ignition delay slightly increases because the increased equivalence ratio improves the mixture heat capacity, reducing the in-cylinder temperature and weakening the low-temperature heat release process of the fuel. The second stage ignition delay is shortened with the increased equivalence ratio because increased fuel concentration facilitates mixture reactivity. CO₂ addition to the cylinder charge can effectively reduce the peak cylinder pressure and the two stage pressure rise rates, as well as extend the durations of ignition delays of two ignition stages.     

Tribological behavior of PTFE sliding against steel in sea water

In this paper the tribological behaviors of PTFE against GCr15 steel in air, distilled water, sea water and 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution were comparatively investigated. The influence of sea water composition on the tribological behavior of PTFE was also studied. Results show that the friction process in sea water was relatively stable, the friction coefficient and the wear rate of PTFE were slightly lower and a little larger than those in distilled water, respectively, but both were much lower than those in air and NaCl solution. In aqueous environment, medium affected the tribological behavior of PTFE mainly by corrosion to the counterface, the wear rate of PTFE depended on the corrosion extent of the counterface, and this wear model can be called indirect corrosive wear. In salt solution, green rusts were formed on the counterface and had some lubricating effect. In addition, the results show Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ were the key factors for the relatively low friction coefficient and wear rate of PTFE in sea water, because the corrosion of counterface was reduced and the lubricating effect of green rusts was enhanced as a result of the deposition of Mg(OH)₂ and CaCO₃ on the counterface.     

Tribo-oxidation of Self-mated Ti3SiC2 at Elevated Temperatures and Low Speed

The tribological behavior of self-mated Ti₃SiC₂ is investigated from ambient temperature to 800?°C at a sliding speed of 0.01?m/s in air. The results show that at the temperatures lower than 300?°C, friction coefficient and wear rates are as high as 0.95 and 10^?3?mm³/N?m, respectively. With the temperature increasing to 600?°C, both the friction coefficient and wear rates show consecutive decrease. At 700 and 800?°C, friction coefficient and wear rates are 0.5 and 10^?6 mm³/N?m, respectively. According to the wear mechanism, the tribological behavior of Ti₃SiC₂ can be divided into three regimes: mechanical wear-dominated regime from ambient temperature to 300?°C characterized by pullout of grains; mixed wear regime (mechanical wear and oxidation wear) from 400 to 600?°C; and tribo-oxidation-dominated wear regime above 700?°C. The tribo-oxides on the worn surfaces involve oxides of Si and Ti. And, species transformation occurs to these two oxides with the increasing temperature. In the competition oxidation of elements Ti and Si, Si is preferably oxidized because of its high active position in the crystal structure. Additionally, plastic flow is another notable characteristic for the tribological behavior of self-mated Ti₃SiC₂.     

Tribological Characterization of Aromatic Thermosetting Copolyester–PTFE Blends in Air Conditioning Compressor Environment

The tribological behavior of a wide range of compositions using blends of aromatic thermosetting polyester (ATSP) with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has been investigated. PTFE was chosen as the blending material because of its low coefficient of friction and good performance at high temperatures and resistance to chemicals. ATSP blends were used to specifically combat some of the shortcomings of PTFE like its extremely low wear resistance and poor mechanical properties, and special processing requirements due to its high melt viscosity. Controlled tribological experiments simulating an air conditioning compressor operating with R134a refrigerant under realistic operating conditions were carried out with different ATSP/PTFE compositions, as well as four different state-of-the-art commercially available composites containing carbon fibers, graphite and PTFE. It was found that the newly synthesized composites exhibited superb tribological characteristics as far as low friction and low wear were concerned. The wear performance of PTFE was greatly improved, while it was shown that greater amounts of ATSP used in the blend lead to lower wear and the amount of ATSP did not significantly alter the friction coefficient. Material transfer and development of a weak film on the disk surface was observed, especially for the blends with higher PTFE content.     

Surface and sub-micron sub-surface evolution of Al390-T6 undergoing tribological testing under submerged lubrication conditions in the presence of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> refrigerant

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) with its environmental benefits is considered a good replacement for commonly used synthetic refrigerants. In this study, the surface and sub-surface changes in simulated CO₂ environment during the initial or transient stages of a sliding contacting interface were investigated. Pin-on-disk configurations involving Al390-T6 disks in contact with 52100 steel pins were used in controlled tribological experiments using a High Pressure Tribometer. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of CO₂ refrigerant, comparative tribological experiments involving a conventional refrigerant and different commonly used lubricants were initially performed in a step-increasing load manner under submerged lubricated conditions. Subsequent detailed experiments for investigating the surface and sub-surface changes were performed in the presence of CO₂ refrigerant and the best performing lubricant, polyalkyline glycol. Burnishing was observed on the surfaces during the transient (evolutionary) stage, which indicated asperity contacts due to the breaking of the elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication film. In order to quantify the surface and sub-micron sub-surface changes that occurred during this transient stage of tribological operation, several analytical tasks were performed, which involved the measurements of nanomechanical properties, chemical compositions of the topmost 200 nm surface layer, and surface roughness. Such studies of detailed evolutionary changes that occurred during the transient stage of a tribopair shed light on the complex interactions between surface and sub-surface changes that determine whether successful tribological conditions will eventually be achieved. Based on the analyses presented in this work, it is concluded that CO₂ is a viable refrigerant from a tribology point of view.     

Friction coefficient and wear rate of sputter-deposited thin films and plasma-sprayed thick coatings at high temperatures in room air

Silver, calcium fluoride (CaF_x with x = 1.85) and chromium-carbon (Cr₃C₂) thin films were deposited onto various tribological test specimens by sputtering. The friction properties of sputter-deposited Ag and CaF_x single layers as well as Ag/CaF_x multilayer films were determined by ball-on-disk tribological tests conducted in room air under various experimental conditions. The tribological properties (friction coefficient and wear rate) of sputter-deposited CaF_x films were also determined at 500°C by pin-on-disk tribological tests performed with pin specimens made of cobalt-based alloy (alacrite). Chromium-carbon films sputter-deposited onto alacrite disk and counterfaces were found to be of interest for reducing the formation of alacrite wear debris in the wear tracks; thus reduced friction coefficient and wear rate values were obtained. The friction behavior of sputter-deposited CaF_x/Cr₃C₂ thin bilayer structures and plasma-sprayed (PS) chromium carbide/Ag/BaF₂-CaF₂ eutectic composite coatings (PS-212 type coatings) was investigated by plane-on-plane tribological tests conducted in room air at 500°C and 700°C. The friction performance of solid lubricant thin bilayer films was compared with that of thick PS-212 type coatings similar to coatings developed by NASA.     

A time-dependent Yeoh model to predict the corrosion effect of supercritical CO2 on the HNBR sealing rubber

In petroleum engineering with severe environments, the supercritical CO₂ corrosion is one of the main factors causing sealing failure of packers. In the study, the CO₂ corrosion experiments of hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) under high temperature and high pressure (HTHP) are carried out. By fitting the uniaxial tension experimental data it shows that, the Yeoh model depicts the mechanical behaviors of HNBR better among the common constitutive models. Moreover, the uniaxial tension experiments with different corrosive time are conducted, and the time-dependent Yeoh model is developed considering the corrosive time. The predicted result of the model is well verified by the data of 8-day corrosion. With the model, for rubber cylinder, the maximum radial contact stress and the maximum axial displacement are computed by finite element simulation to characterize the sealing performance. The model can predict the mechanical behaviors of structures made of HNBR under supercritical CO₂ corrosion.

     

Friction Reduction and Antiwear Capacity of Engine Oil Blends Containing Zinc Dialkyl Dithiophosphate and Molybdenum-Complex Additives

The efficacy of oil blends containing zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZnDTP) and molybdenum (Mo)-complex additives to improve the tribological properties of boundary-lubricated steel surfaces was investigated experimentally. The performance of oil blends containing three different types of Mo-complex additives of varying Mo and S contents with or without primary/secondary ZnDTP additions were investigated at 100°C. The formation of antiwear tribofilms was detected in situ by observing the friction force and contact voltage responses. Wear volume and surface topography measurements obtained from surface profilometry and scanning electron microscopy studies were used to quantify the antiwear capacity of the formed tribofilms. The tribological properties are interpreted in terms of the tribofilm chemical composition studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that blending the base oil only with the Mo-compound additives did not improve the friction characteristics. However, an optimum mixture of Mo complexes and ZnDTP additive provided sufficient amounts of S and Mo for the formation of antiwear tribofilms containing low-shear strength MoS ₂ that reduces sliding friction. In addition, the formation of a glassy phosphate phase due to the synergistic effect of the ZnDTP additive enhances the wear resistance of the tribofilm. This study shows that ZnDTP- and Mo-containing additives incorporated in oil blends at optimum proportions improve significantly the tribological properties of boundary-lubricated steel surfaces sliding at elevated temperatures.