Friction and Wear Properties of Micro Textured DLC Coated Surfaces in Boundary Lubricated Sliding

In the present study, the friction and wear properties of boundary lubricated textured surfaces were investigated. The capability to feed lubricant into the interface of a sliding contact and to isolate wear particles was related to the shape, size and orientation of the texture patterns. Well-defined surface textures of square depressions or parallel grooves of different widths and distributions were produced by lithography and anisotropic etching of silicon wafers. Subsequently the wafers were PVD coated with thin, wear resistant DLC coatings, retaining the substrate texture. The surfaces were evaluated in reciprocating sliding against a ball-bearing-steel ball under starved or amply lubricated boundary lubrication conditions.     

Textured surfaces in sliding boundary lubricated contacts – mechanisms,possibilities and limitations

Abstract

The mechanisms of friction and wear in boundary lubrication are complex with influences from the surface roughness and hardness of surfaces, the lubricant and the wear products. Introduction of a texture on either surface can influence several important parameters. Wear particles can be collected or produced by the surface texture. A lubricating film can suffer or gain and the lubrication regime might change. This paper presents an overview of the tribological effects and important parameters of textured surfaces in sliding boundary lubricated contact, based on the experience of the authors and on published results. Examples of successful and less successful textured contacts are given and some recommendations regarding size, orientation and textured area fraction are presented.     

Review of engineered tribological interfaces for improved boundary lubrication

Recent advances in smart surface engineering and coating technologies offer unique possibilities for better controlling friction and wear under boundary or marginally lubricated rolling, sliding or rotating contact conditions. Specifically, such coatings can be tailored to meet the increasingly multi-functional application needs of future engine systems by enabling them to operate in lower viscosity oils with reduced sulfur and phosphorous. Using these technologies, researchers have already pioneered the development of a variety of nano-composite and super-hard coatings providing longer tool life in demanding machining and manufacturing applications. The same technologies can also be used in the design and development of novel coating architectures providing lower friction and wear under boundary-lubricated sliding conditions. For example, such coatings can be tailored in a very special way that while one of the phases can favorably react with certain additives in engine oils to result in an ideal chemical boundary film; the other phases can provide super-hardness and hence resists wear and scuffing. Because of their very dense microstructure and high chemical inertness, these coatings can also provide superior protection against oxidation and corrosive attacks in aggressive environments. The use of solid lubricant coatings may also improve the tribological properties of sliding contact interfaces under boundary lubricated sliding conditions. When fluid and boundary films fails or is broken down, such coatings can carry the load and act as a back-up lubricant. Other smart surface technologies such as laser texturing and/or dimpling, laser-glazing and -shotpeening have also become very popular in recent years. In particular, laser texturing of control or coated surfaces have opened up new possibilities for further manipulation of the lubrication regimes in classical Stribeck diagrams. Controlling dimple size, shape, orientation, and density, researchers were able to modify both the width and the height of the boundary lubrication regimes and thus achieve lower friction and wear at sliding and rotating contact interfaces. Overall, smart surface engineering and coating technologies have matured over the years and they now become an integral part of advanced machining and manufacturing applications. They can also be used to meet the increasingly stringent and multi-functional application needs of demanding tribological applications. In this paper, selected examples of recently developed novel surface engineering and coating technologies are introduced, and the fundamental tribological mechanisms that control their friction and wear behavior under boundary lubrication regimes are presented.     

The effects of contact configuration and coating morphology on the tribological behaviour of tetrahedral amorphous diamond-like carbon (ta-C DLC) coatings under boundary lubrication

ABSTRACT

Tribological studies were carried out with tetrahedral amorphous diamond-like carbon (ta-C DLC) coatings, varying in thickness and roughness, using two different contact configurations lubricated with seven types of hydraulic oils. Tribopair of cast iron and ta-C coated steel were tested in both non-conformal and conformal, unidirectional sliding contacts. The friction and wear results were mainly affected by the thickness of the coating in the non-conformal contact and the surface roughness of the coating in the conformal contact. Tests done with mineral base oil containing rust inhibitor in the non-conformal contact and with Polyalphaolefins and synthetic ester base oils in the conformal contact resulted in the lowest friction while that with mineral base oil containing zinc resulted in high friction and counterface wear. The results highlight the interdependence of contact configuration, lubricant chemistry, coating’s surface morphology and coating’s thickness in determining the tribological behaviour of ta-C coatings under boundary lubrication.     

Coatings tribology—contact mechanisms and surface design

The fundamentals of coating tribology are presented by using a generalised holistic approach to the friction and wear mechanisms of coated surfaces in dry sliding contacts. It is based on a classification of the tribological contact process into macromechanical, micromechanical, nanomechanical and tribochemical contact mechanisms, and material transfer. The important influence of thin tribo- and transfer layers formed during the sliding action is shown. Optimal surface design regarding both friction and wear can be achieved by new multi-layer techniques which can provide properties such as reduced stresses, improved adhesion to the substrate, more flexible coatings and harder and smoother surfaces. The differences between contact mechanisms in dry, water- and oil-lubricated contacts with coated surfaces is illustrated by experimental results from diamond-like coatings sliding against a steel and an alumina ball. The mechanisms of the formation of dry transfer layers, tribolayers and lubricated boundary and reaction films are discussed.     

高载荷条件下石墨-石墨摩擦副的摩擦学特性研究

利用研制的高载荷条件下摩擦因数测试装置,研究了石墨/石墨摩擦副在空气、水和油介质中的摩擦学特性。结果表明在4~15MPa范围内,随着载荷的增加,摩擦副在空气、水和油介质中的摩擦因数都逐渐降低;在油介质中摩擦副的摩擦因数最小,在水介质中摩擦因数变化最平稳,在空气中摩擦因数最大,且随载荷的增加变化幅度最大。磨损表面原始形貌对比分析表明,在空气中,摩擦副表面处于边界润滑状态,主要磨损机制是粘着磨损和犁削;水润滑条件下为轻微犁削;油润滑条件下,摩擦副表面处于为边界润滑和流体润滑状态,油中的减摩剂对试样表面有抛光作用。     

Tribological behaviour of steel‐alumina sliding pairs under boundary lubrication conditions

The tribological behaviour of oil‐lubricated steel‐alumina sliding pairs was investigated using a ball‐on‐disc tribometer at room temperature. Commercial bearing balls of 10 mm diameter were mated to 99.7% Al₂O₃ discs, and additive‐free mineral oil was fed into the contact area. The sliding speed and the applied normal load were varied, and the initial surface roughness of the Al₂O₃ disc was altered using different polishing and grinding procedures. The results showed that the surface roughness of the ceramic discs dominated the tribological behaviour under the given experimental conditions. The sliding speed as well as the normal load showed less effect on the friction behaviour, but the amount of wear depended strongly on the normal load. From the results it was concluded that improvement of the surface roughness and optimised surface machining of the ceramic material can be essential for improving the tribological performance for boundary‐lubricated steel‐ceramic sliding pairs.     

磨料粒度对表面微织构纯钛干摩擦性能的影响

为了提高钛及钛合金钻具在超深钻探、深海钻探和外太空钻探工程中的减摩抗磨性能。利用激光表面加工技术在工业纯钛（TA2）表面制备了不同参数的点阵微织构。采用MS-T3000摩擦磨损试验机测试了微织构钛合金在不同粒度模拟月壤作用下的摩擦学性能。利用扫描电子显微镜和能谱分析仪分析磨痕形貌及元素含量。研究结果表明：当磨料粒度小于微织构点阵的直径时,磨料压入微织构点阵里,磨料具有滚动和滑动两种运动方式。当粒度大于微织构点阵的直径时,磨料不能完全压入微织构点阵里,磨料对微织构TA2表面产生了滑动犁削作用。由于两种磨料磨损的作用机理不同,同等条件下,小粒度的磨料作用下的微织构TA2的摩擦因数和磨损率较大粒度磨粒作用下的最大减少量分别为50%和53%。考虑磨料粒度与微结构的匹配性,可以大大降低摩擦减少磨损。     

Evaluation of the Tribological Properties of Polyimide and Poly(amide-imide) Polymers in a Refrigerant Environment

The tribological properties of three grades of polyimide (PI) and one grade of poly(amide-imide) (PAI) polymers are evaluated in a tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) environment. Friction coefficient, wear, and interface surface morphology are evaluated at temperatures of 20° and 120°C, sliding velocities from 0.127 to 3.75 m/s, contact pressures from 1.72 to 13.8 MPa, and counterface surface roughness of 0.06 and 0.40 μ Ra. Tests were conducted under dry or boundary lubricated conditions. Limited testing indicate that the polymers under study do not chemically degrade in HFC-134a environment. For the polymer grades tested, the combination of graphite and FIFE as filler materials provide the best wear characteristics in this environment. As expected, the environmental temperature has a strong effect on both the friction coefficient and the wear. Under boundary lubricated conditions, the presence of a liquid lubricant provides one order of magnitude lower wear compared to the wear obtained in dry sliding conditions. Results from tests conducted in air, argon, and HFC-134a show that the tribological properties of the polymers tested do not seem to be significantly influenced by the environment.     

甘油润滑下CrCN涂层的超低摩擦特性

为开发与CrCN涂层具有良好配伍润滑性能的绿色润滑剂,使用磁控溅射技术在304不锈钢表面沉积CrCN涂层,利用场发射扫描电子显微镜、原子力显微镜、纳米压痕仪、维氏硬度计、X射线衍射仪、X射线光电子能谱仪分别对其表面形貌、涂层厚度、力学性能、物相组成以及元素化学价态进行分析,并借助多功能摩擦磨损试验机评价在甘油润滑下CrCN涂层的摩擦学性能,并与PAO6润滑下结果进行比较。利用磁控溅射技术在不锈钢表面构筑的CrCN涂层表面光滑致密,粗糙度仅为1.01 nm,硬度可达14.39 GPa。对比钢-钢和钢-CrCN体系的摩擦学性能发现,钢-CrCN体系在甘油润滑下展现出优异的润滑性能;当负载为0.5 N时,钢-CrCN体系在甘油润滑下的摩擦因数可低至0.01,大大低于PAO6润滑下的摩擦因数。对磨痕的XPS分析表明,在摩擦过程中,甘油发生摩擦化学反应,在CrCN涂层的接触表面生成一层FeOOH层,甘油分子及其降解产物可能进一步吸附在FeOOH层,形成流体润滑层,有效降低了摩擦和磨损。     

激光织构和碳基薄膜复合处理提高钛合金摩擦学性能研究

在重载滑动干摩擦条件下，对比不同织构密度的钛合金表面的摩擦学性能；在耐磨性最好的织构密度钛合金表面再制备碳基薄膜，并与直接在钛合金表面制备的碳基薄膜的摩擦学性能进行对比。结果表明：3种低织构密度条件下，TC4钛合金的摩擦因数减小、磨损率降低；随着织构密度的增大，钛合金材料的摩擦因数变化极小，磨损率有所增加；在织构密度5.95%的钛合金表面制备的碳基薄膜，因织构微凹处产生的小微湍流，减少了摩擦阻力，使得其摩擦因数相比直接在钛合金表面制备的碳基薄膜的摩擦因数有所减小。织构化碳基薄膜的磨损率比钛合金的磨损率降低了99.31%，比直接在钛合金表面制备碳基薄膜的磨损率也降低了约60%，这是因为高接触应力摩擦过程中触发石墨化转变，被磨损的石墨化颗粒碎片嵌入织构微凹中，抑制了摩擦接触界面的磨损行为。     

Tribological Behavior of Composites Based on ZA-27 Alloy Reinforced with Graphite Particles

The objective of this investigation is to assess the influence of graphite reinforcement on tribological behavior of ZA-27 alloy. The composite with 2 wt% of graphite particles was produced by the compocasting procedure. Tribological properties of unreinforced alloy and composite were studied, using block-on-disk tribometer, under dry and lubricated sliding conditions at different specific loads and sliding speeds. The worn surfaces of the samples were examined by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The obtained results revealed that ZA-27/graphite composite specimens exhibited significantly lower wear rate and coefficient of friction than the matrix alloy specimens in all the combinations of applied loads (F _n ) and sliding speeds (v) in dry and lubricated tests. The positive tribological effects of graphite reinforcement of ZA-27 in dry sliding tests were provided by the tribo-induced graphite film on the contact surface of composite. In test conditions, characterized by the small graphite content and modest sliding speeds and applied loads, nonuniform tribo-induced graphite films were formed leading to the increase of the friction coefficient and wear rate, with increase of the sliding speed and applied load. In conditions of lubricated sliding, the very fine graphite particles formed in the contact interface mix with the lubricating oil forming the emulsion with improved tribological characteristics. Smeared graphite decreased the negative influence of F _n on tribological response of composites, what is manifested by the mild regime of the boundary lubrication, as well as by realization of the mixed lubrication at lower values of the v/F _n ratio, with respect to the matrix alloy.     

Ultralow friction of DLC in presence of glycerol mono-oleate (GNO)

This paper presents a unique tribological system that is able to produce no measurable wear of material combination and that reduces friction markedly in the ultralow regime under boundary lubrication. Ultralow friction (0.03) was obtained by sliding hydrogen-free Diamond-Like-Carbon ta-C against ta-C lubricated with Poly-alpha Olefin base oil containing Glycerol Mono-Oleate (GMO) additive. The origin of ultralow friction in these conditions has been investigated by surface analysis techniques. Results are in agreement with the formation of a OH-terminated carbon surface. This new surface chemistry might be formed by the tribochemical reaction of alcohol function groups with the friction-activated ta-C atoms. The origin of low friction could be due to the very low-energy interaction between OH-terminated surfaces.     

Friction and Thermal Effects of Engineering Plastics Sliding Against Steel and DLN-Coated Counterfaces

Polymers are increasingly used in tribological applications, because of their self-lubricating ability, corrosion resistance and chemical compatibility. However, their performance depends strongly on the parameters of the total tribological system. Not only polymer characteristics, but also counterface properties become important because of their influence on friction and wear, on surface energy and on the thermal conductivity of the total system. Applying a Diamond-Like Nanocomposite (DLN) coating on a steel counterface can improve the tribological behaviour of the sliding couple under certain conditions. In the case of metal sliding against DLN, the high hardness and the wear resistance of the coating is advantageous for better tribological properties. However, for polymers sliding against DLN, the lower thermal conductivity of the DLN coating compared with a steel mating surface dominates friction and wear. In case of polyamides this results in worse tribological performance in contact with the DLN coating, because of polymer melting. In the case of more rigid polymers, such as, e.g., POM-H and PETP, lower coefficients of friction lead to lower frictional heat generation. In these cases, the thermal characteristics of the counterface are less important and the lower surface energy of the DLN coating is favourable for decreased adhesion between the polymer and the coating and consequently better tribological properties.     

Tribological behaviours of PA/UHMWPE blend under dry and lubricating condition

Dry-sliding and lubricated friction and wear behaviours of polyamide (PA) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) blend were studied using a pin-on-disc method (polymer pin sliding against a stainless steel disc) at room environment. The tribological performance of PA and UHMWPE were also investigated for the purpose of comparison. The worn surfaces were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscope. It was observed that PA specimen demonstrated highest friction coefficient, UHMWPE the lowest in both dry-sliding and lubricated sliding test. The friction of PA could be sufficiently decreased by blending with UHMWPE. Statistical analysis suggested the relationship between the wear volume loss and the sliding distance could be expressed by a linear model for dry-sliding, while a logarithmic model was determined for lubricated sliding. The difference in wear modes between both sliding series suggested that there was change in the mode of material removal process. The lower wear rate in lubricated sliding was attributed to the elastohydrodynamic or partial elastohydrodynamic lubrication through the development of a continuous lubricant film between the polymer and the counterface, while the high wear rate of the specimens, in dry-sliding test, was mainly caused by fatigue process due to the repeated action of tearing and crack-propagation.     

Assessment and application of TiB2 coating in sliding pair under lubrication conditions

The aim of the present work is to determine the influence of TiB₂ coating on the friction parameters in sliding pairs under lubricated friction conditions. The TiB₂ coating deposited on modified surface layers of ring specimens made of AISI 5045 steel was matched under test conditions with counterparts made from SAE-783 and SAE-48 bearing alloys. Tested sliding pairs were lubricated with 5 W/40 Lotos synthetic engine oil. Tribological properties of the TiB₂ coating were measured using a block-on-ring tribometer. The applied modification technology of the surface layer of steel allowed for obtaining construction material with pre-determined tribological characteristics required for the elements of sliding pairs in lubricated contact. The results showed differences in the wear of bearing alloys, as a result of the interaction between co-operating surface layers and of the physiochemical changes of their surfaces, induced by external forces. Friction resistance and temperature in the friction area in the pair with TiB₂ coating and the SAE-783 bearing alloy are considerably higher than in the pair with the SAE-48 bearing alloy. The SAE-48 bearing alloy is subjected to more intensive wear processes in contact with the TiB₂ coating than the SAE-783 bearing alloy.     

Performance and anti-wear mechanism of CaCO3 nanoparticles as a green additive in poly-alpha-olefin

This paper reports the tribological behavior of CaCO₃ nanoparticles as a green additive in poly-alpha-olefin (PAO) base oil under variable applied load, sliding speed, sliding duration, and temperature. The tribological properties and the electrical contact resistance between the tribo-pairs lubricated with PAO alone, and PAO containing CaCO₃ nanoparticles, were determined using an Optimol-SRV 4 oscillating friction and wear tester (SRV). The morphology and wear volume of the worn scar were measured simultaneously using a surface profilometer. The results showed that CaCO₃ nanoparticles can dramatically improve the load-carrying capacity, as well as the anti-wear and friction-reduction properties of a PAO base oil. In addition, higher applied load, moderate frequency, longer duration time, and lower temperatures are beneficial to the deposition of CaCO₃ nanoparticles accumulating on rubbing surfaces. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) reveals a boundary film composed of CaCO₃, CaO, iron oxide, and some organic compounds on the worn surfaces.     

Surface lay effect on rough friction in roller contact

Surface lay describes the direction of the predominant surface pattern. A properly designed surface texture configuration has been recognised as a vital issue affecting lubrication and sliding in machinery applications in the literature. Gaining understanding of this tribological phenomenon is no doubt beneficial in facilitating the production of more efficient machine parts and thus reduces production cost. This paper describes an experimental method to investigate the effect of surface lay on lubricated rolling/sliding of ground roller surfaces. By using the rough friction test rig, different surface lay contacts can be simulated and the friction can be measured. Friction behaviour was interpreted in terms of Stribeck curves (friction coefficient as the function of Hersey parameter [ην/p]). Results show that an optimal contact lay angle that provides a minimum friction value is achievable through rig testing. The relative sliding speed direction has a symmetrical effect on friction at the same lay orientation; for sliding speed angles less than about 80°, the larger the angle, the lower the friction, and vice versa.     

Combination of DLC coatings and EP additives for improved tribological behaviour of boundary lubricated surfaces

The aim of the present investigation was to obtain some further understanding of the mechanism responsible for low-friction behaviour of W-containing DLC coatings (W-DLC) when lubricated with EP additivated oil. Boundary lubricated wear and friction tests were performed under reciprocating sliding motion using a high frequency test rig and a contact pressure of 1.5 GPa. Additionally, some of the tests were performed in a load-scanning reciprocating test rig, with the contact pressure being in the range from 2.4 to 5.6 GPa. The influence of concentration of a sulphur-based EP additive on the friction behaviour was investigated.This investigation showed that W-DLC coatings greatly improve the tribological properties of boundary-lubricated surfaces, especially when pairing coated and uncoated steel surfaces. The improved tribological behaviour was found to be governed by the gradual formation of a WS₂ type tribofilm on the steel counter-face or on revealed steel substrate. The friction level depends on the additive concentration.     

聚苯酯填充聚四氟乙烯复合材料摩擦学行为研究

采用聚苯酯（Ekonol）、Ekonol／PAB纤维增强聚四氟乙烯（PTFE）制备利用转移膜润滑的摩擦副材料，并研究了两组材料在于摩擦条件下与9Cr18轴承钢对摩时的摩擦学性能；运用扫描电镜分析了两组材料磨损表面形貌和磨损机理。结果表明：随着Ekonol含量的增大，Ekonol填充PTFE复合材料的摩擦因数逐渐增大，当Ekonol质量分数超过25％时摩擦因数略有下降，磨损方式由以犁削磨损为主转变为以疲劳磨损为主；而Ekonol／PAB纤维填充门FE复合材料的摩擦因数，随Ekonol含量的增大而增大，磨损方式由以粘着磨损为主转变为以疲劳磨损为主。Ekonol／PAB纤维填充PTFE复合材料的摩擦学性能优于Ekonol填充PTFE复合材料。