Friction and wear effects on a micro/nano‐scale

In this paper are described tribological effects which can be found in micro‐tribological systems, and in those macro‐systems which can be analysed by micro‐methods, e.g., by atomic force microscopy (AFM) or related methods. Micro‐tribology systems have friction contacts with loads in the micro/nano‐newton range and/or dimensions in the micro/nanometre range. Experiments on the micro/nano‐scale should be easier to explain by theoretical modelling due to their simpler system structure. An example is discussed of adhesion and friction measurements between AFM tips and clean, flat, solid surfaces in ultra‐high vacuum, which shows some of the special aspects of micro/nano‐tribology. Surprising friction characteristics on surfaces with an artificial micro‐structure can be explained by skilled and careful topographical analysis of the friction path with an AFM. In micro‐sensor contacts, ‘single wear events’ can be detected using AFM analysis of the contact region. For ceramic compounds, different friction levels for the components of the material can be found. The problems, difficulties, and dangers of misinterpretation are also discussed.     

Characterisation and nano‐friction behaviour of molecular deposition films

The structure and the nano‐friction behaviour of a new kind of ultrathin film, a molecular deposition (MD) film, on an Au substrate were studied. The MD film is formed by the electrostatic attraction between opposite charges of cationic and anionic compounds, and a multilayer film can be built through alternating deposition of bipolar cationic and anionic compounds. Monolayer, bilayer, trilayer, and tetralayer MD films on Au substrates were examined. MD films with an alkyl terminal group were also investigated. It was found that while the MD film on an Au substrate reduced the friction, its nano‐friction behaviour was unstable because of the active terminal group. However, if the MD film was formed with an alkyl terminal group, its nano‐friction behaviour became stable and its friction decreased markedly. Therefore, this film termination method could contribute to the nano‐tribological application of MD films.     

Mechanical properties of tribologically modified nano‐layers

Wear in modern mechanical systems is characterised by ultra‐low wear rates in the range of a few nanometres per hour. Both the surfaces of the materials involved and their volumes undergo modification as regards morphology, crystalline arrangement, and chemical composition. The depth of tribological interactions for given conditions is in the order of a micrometre or less. Synchrotron‐based X‐ray diffraction and nano‐indentation were used to probe these thin modified zones. The specimens were taken from tribometric experiments employing the radionuclide technique as the ultimate tool to measure ultra‐low wear rates. To obtain different degrees of tribological interaction various loads and sliding velocities were applied. The specimens were classified according to the total power dissipated during the tribometric experiment.     

Tribological properties of nano‐calcium borate as lithium grease additive

Nano‐calcium borate (NCB) with an average particle size of about 70 nm was synthesised via ethanol supercritical fluid drying technique, and the morphology and microstructures of as‐prepared particles were characterised by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM, JEOL LTD., Tokyo, Japan) and X‐ray powder diffraction. The friction and wear behaviour of the NCB as additive in lithium grease were evaluated with an Optimol‐SRV IV (Optimol Instruments Prüftechnik GmbH, Munich, Germany) oscillating friction and wear tester (SRV tester). The morphology and surface composition of the worn surfaces of lower discs after SRV test were analysed by SEM and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, Physical Electronics, Inc., USA). The result demonstrated that the anti‐wear and load‐carrying capacities of the lithium grease were significantly improved, and the friction coefficient of the lithium grease decreased with the addition of NCB additive. The analytical results of XPS indicate that the good tribological performance of NCB is attributable to the formation of a boundary lubrication film composed of deposited NCB and the tribochemical reaction products such as B₂O₃, CaO and iron oxides on the rubbing surface. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new design for the pin and V-blocks tribometer

A compact and vacuum compatible design for the generally used pin and V-blocks tribometer is presented. The device has two built-in transducers for measurement of the applied load and friction torque, from which the coefficient of friction is determined. The design, construction and calibration of the transducers are described in detail. The use of the test rig is illustrated by tribotests in air and in high vacuum environments for the study of the tribological behaviour of a bonded solid lubricant film on various substrate materials.     

Nano‐scratch study of molecular deposition films on silicon wafers using nano‐indentation

Experiments on molecular deposition (MD) films with and without alkyl terminal groups deposited on silicon wafers were conducted using nano‐indentation. It was found that MD films and alkyl‐terminated MD films exhibit a higher critical load and a lower coefficient of friction than the silicon substrate. The critical load increases with the number of layers, and the coefficients of friction of MD films with alkyl terminal groups are lower than those of the corresponding MD films with the same number of layers but without alkyl terminal groups.     

MRT Letter: Two‐photon excitation‐based 2pi Light‐sheet system for nano‐lithography

We propose two‐photon excitation‐based light‐sheet technique for nano‐lithography. The system consists of 2 ‐configured cylindrical lens system with a common geometrical focus. Upon superposition, the phase‐matched counter‐propagating light‐sheets result in the generation of identical and equi spaced nano‐bump pattern. Study shows a feature size of as small as few tens of nanometers with a inter‐bump distance of few hundred nanometers. This technique overcomes some of the limitations of existing nano‐lithography techniques, thereby, may pave the way for mass‐production of nano‐structures. Potential applications can also be found in optical microscopy, plasmonics, and nano‐electronics. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:1–7, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Improved additives for multiply alkylated cyclopentane‐based lubricants

Multiply alkylated cyclopentanes (MACs) are replacing heritage (mineral oil‐based) spacecraft lubricants because of their excellent performance and low volatility. While MACs have acquired an increasingly prominent role, soluble additives with similarly low volatility are lacking. In this study, the performance of specially designed candidate high‐molecular‐weight/low‐volatility phosphate additives was compared with the performance of conventional phosphate and lead naphthenate additives currently used in space. The candidate additives were equivalent or superior to the currently used additives in both conventional (atmospheric) and vacuum wear tests. Volatility studies revealed superior candidate additive performance compared with currently used additives. In addition, surface chemical analysis of the wear surfaces provided a better understanding of the anti‐wear protective films formed by these additives. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of the chemical structure of fluorinated esters on the tribological properties of a steel‐on‐steel system

The effect of the chemical structure of fluorinated esters on the friction and wear behaviour of a steel‐on‐steel system was investigated. The friction and wear testing of a steel disc sliding against a counterpart ball of the same steel was carried out using an Optimal SRV oscillating friction and wear tester. The chemical features of the worn steel surfaces were analysed by means of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the morphologies and elemental compositions of the worn steel surfaces observed and determined using scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that a fluorinated ester with methylene groups that are not substituted by fluorine in the acid structure gives the best friction‐reducing behaviour and a keto‐ester shows the best antiwear properties.     

Atomic resolution imaging of beryl: an investigation of the nano‐channel occupation

Beryl in different varieties (emerald, aquamarine, heliodor etc.) displays a wide range of colours that have fascinated humans throughout history. Beryl is a hexagonal cyclo‐silicate (ring‐silicate) with channels going through the crystal along the c‐axis. The channels are about 0.5 nm in diameter and can be occupied by water and alkali ions. Pure beryl (Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈) is colourless (variety goshenite). The characteristic colours are believed to be mainly generated through substitutions with metal atoms in the lattice. Which atoms that are substituted is still debated it has been proposed that metal ions may also be enclosed in the channels and that this can also contribute to the crystal colouring. So far spectroscopy studies have not been able to fully answer this. Here we present the first experiments using atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscope imaging (STEM) to investigate the channel occupation in beryl. We present images of a natural beryl crystal (variety heliodor) from the Bin Thuan Province in Vietnam. The channel occupation can be visualized. Based on the image contrast in combination with ex situ element analysis we suggest that some or all of the atoms that are visible in the channels are Fe ions.     

Assessment of polymer composites for hydrodynamic journal‐bearing applications

Polymer composites are used as facing materials in hydrodynamic bearings for their low friction and ‘compliant’ properties, which play an important role during machinery operation. In journal bearings, this low friction property can be of significant importance during start and stop cycles when insufficient oil is available to fully separate the surfaces in relative motion. Current work is aimed at determining a suitable material for use in hydrodynamic journal bearings for applications in hydroelectric power plants. This study investigates friction and wear encountered during the transition from the stationary state to operational speed (acceleration) during initial start‐up. This is examined for virgin poly‐tetra‐fluoro‐ethylene (PTFE) together with a series of commercially available PTFE‐based composites and a babbitt material in boundary/mixed lubrication conditions. Tests are performed using standard laboratory block‐on‐ring test apparatus with a VG32 mineral oil. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A parametric investigation of the friction performance of electroless Ni‐B coatings

Friction performance of electroless Ni‐B coatings sliding against steel is experimentally investigated in this paper. Friction performance is measured in terms of coefficient of friction (COF) for varying tribological testing parameters such as load, speed and time. Taguchi‐based optimisation of the testing parameters is attempted to find the optimal combination of testing parameters for minimum COF. An analysis of variance reveals that all the testing parameters have significant influence on the friction performance of the coating. Also, the interaction between load and speed is found to affect the friction more compared with the rest of the interactions. The coating characterisation is done with the help of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray and X‐ray diffraction analysis. It is found that the Ni‐B coating is amorphous in the as‐deposited condition but gradually turns crystalline with heat treatment. The sliding tracks observed with SEM showed that abrasive failure is the predominant wear mechanism. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

SEM‐EDX,water absorption,and wetting capability studies on evaluation of the influence of nano‐zinc oxide as additive to paraloid B72 solutions used for wooden artifacts consolidation

Consolidation of frail, degraded wood is a key issue of wooden cultural heritage conservation. Paraloid B72 is one of the most often used consolidant in conservation practice. The present research aimed at formulating stable consolidation solutions of Paraloid B72 with ZnO nano‐additives and at determining the influence of these additives on the penetration pathways, retention of the consolidation material into wood and on the water behavior of the treated wood. The experiments were performed on sound samples of aspen (Populus tremula). The addition of nano‐ZnO slightly increased the uptake and retention of the consolidant within the wooden structure and led to hydrophobic surfaces. However, the influence of nano‐ZnO additives to the water absorption was not conclusive. Scanning Electron Microscope coupled with an EDX Detector investigation proved vessels, fibers, and interconnecting pits as main pathways of consolidant penetration into the wooden structure as well as the presence and distribution of nano‐ZnO. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The tribological behaviour of paper friction plates for wet clutch applications investigated on SAE II and pin‐on‐disc test rigs

The friction behaviour of wet clutches for automatic transmission applications strongly influences the dynamic behaviour of the entire machine or vehicle, including the transmission. The wear, and also the friction curve, determines the life of the clutch. In this research, both SAE II and pin‐on‐disc tests have been used to investigate the wear and friction characteristics of paper friction material. A comparison is made of the friction coefficients and the wear rates obtained on both test rigs. Although the pin‐on‐disc tests failed to reproduce correctly the wear rates of the SAE II tests, they can be used for a qualitative analysis of the influence of material parameters and operating conditions on both friction coefficients and wear rates.     

Benzimidazolyl phosphates as anti‐wear additives in poly(ethylene glycol) for steel/steel contacts

Four novel benzimidazolyl phosphates (BPs) were synthesized and evaluated as anti‐wear additives in poly(ethylene glycol) for steel/steel contacts. The friction experiments were carried out on an Optimol SRV‐I oscillating reciprocating friction and wear tester (SRV) both at room temperature and high temperature. The worn surfaces of the steel discs were analysed by JSM‐5600LV scanning electron microscope and PHI‐5702 multifunctional X‐ray photoelectron spectrometer. It was indicated that poly(ethylene glycol) with 2 wt% BP additives had better friction‐reducing and anti‐wear properties than the commercial lubricant additive, tricresyl phosphate. Excellent tribological performance of BPs could be ascribed to the formation of high quality boundary films that consisted of the ordered adsorption films and tribo‐chemical reaction films. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of anti‐oxidants on the lubricity of B30 biodiesel–diesel blend

Biodiesel is used in many countries as blends with diesel fuel. However, the main obstacle in biodiesel/diesel blends acceptance, commercialization worldwide and using higher blends seems to be its ability to oxidise and increase wear and friction of automotive parts. An experimental investigation has been carried out to analyse the effect of three different anti‐oxidants on the lubricity of palm biodiesel–diesel blend (B30) and to optimise anti‐oxidant concentration based on the performance. The three phenolic anti‐oxidants, butylated hydroxytoluene, propylgallate and pyrogallol, were tested using four‐ball tribotester for 1 h with 1500 rpm and 40 kg load, at ambient temperature. These three anti‐oxidants were used in varying concentrations of 200, 400 and 600 ppm. Propylgallate anti‐oxidant showed most effective results by enhancing the lubricity of the blend in terms of reduced wear and friction. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tribological properties of h‐BN nanoparticles as lubricant additive on cylinder liner and piston ring

Friction and wear behaviour of different concentrations of hex‐boron nitride (h‐BN) nanoparticles in engine oil of grade SAE 20W50 were studied at various loads. These tribological studies were conducted using a four‐ball wear test machine and a pin‐on‐disc universal tribometer. Anti‐wear properties of SAE 20W50 + h‐BN were studied on the four‐ball wear test machine as per ASTM D4172 standard. Friction and wear properties of SAE 20W50 + h‐BN on piston ring and cylinder liner tribo‐pair were studied using the universal tribometer. Nanoparticles of h‐BN mixed in lubricant showed excellent tribological performance. In most of the cases, h‐BN nanoparticles as additive reduced the wear loss by 30–70% at various loads. The minimum value of coefficient of friction (0.0401) was found with SAE 20W50 + 3 wt% of h‐BN at normal load of 100 N. Scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used for characterisation of h‐BN and wear scars. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental study of the friction and wear behaviour of a polymer disc/primer coating combination used in ball‐joints by means of large‐scale testing

The surfaces of a heavily loaded ball‐joint were initially covered with a sliding spray, and suffer wear. A solution is found by incorporating ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) discs with a carbon fibre/epoxy reinforced ring as sliding material into the chairs of the structure. The ball side is covered with a zinc phosphate primer coating. For design purposes the local static and dynamic behaviour of the hybrid UHMWPE discs in contact with steel or Zn‐coated counterfaces should be large‐scale tested in terms of their loading capacity, low friction and wear resistance. Also the influence of creep and wear on friction is examined. After the large‐scale verification tests in laboratory, a good correlation is found with a test in the field. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of blended vegetable‐based cutting fluids with extreme pressure on tool wear and force components in turning of Al 7075‐T6

In this study, performances of four different types of vegetable‐based cutting fluids (VBCFs) over a commercial mineral cutting fluid were evaluated for machinability of Al 7075‐T6. Lubrication properties of VBCFs were improved with additive of extreme pressure. Cutting force and tool wear data were obtained for performance analyses of cutting fluids during longitudinal turning of Al 7075‐T6. Cutting, feed and radial forces indicated 1.70–38.25% improvements for VBCFs over the commercial mineral cutting fluid. The lowest average values of flank and nose wears obtained with blended cutting fluid containing 12% of extreme pressure were 0.09 and 0.10 mm, respectively, whereas these values for the commercial mineral cutting fluid were 0.18 and 0.15 mm. The scanning electron microscope results showed adherence of workpiece material occurred on rake and flank faces, and flank and nose wears were the dominant wear modes. It was found that performances of VBCFs during turning of Al 7075‐T6 were better than that of the commercial mineral cutting fluid. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A block‐on‐ring tribocorrosion setup for combined electrochemical and friction testing

The combined action of corrosion and wear can cause degradation of equipment, and thereby financial losses related to the renewal or repair of damaged equipment. In the food industry, metal degradation is a major concern since metal release eventually can cause health risks for consumers. This study describes a block‐on‐ring testing facility used to determine sliding wear, and additionally allowing for electrochemical measurements, such as potentiodynamic polarization curves and potentiostatic monitoring of current and potential. To verify the reliability and reproducibility of this block‐on‐ring tribocorrosion setup, the tribological and electrochemical behaviour of stainless steel sliding against a ceramic ring in sulphuric acid has been determined. Furthermore, a case taken from the food industry has been examined. The study shows that results made on the described block‐on‐ring testing facility are reliable and can provide improved information about material properties when the material is exposed to combined chemical and mechanical degradation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.