Lubrication Studies with Alumina-on-Alumina, Steel-on-Steel, and Steel-on-Alumina Bearing Systems

In metal bearing systems, good lubricants for boundary lubrication generally show chemical interaction with the bearing surface under the conditions of temperature and pressure generated in the sliding contact. In this study, tests in a four-ball wear tester have been used to compare lubricants under similar loadings using steel-on-steel, steel-on-alumina, and alumina-on-alumina bearing systems. In general, the alumina appears to be far less reactive with lubricants than steel. Alumina-on-alumina bearing systems do show a sensitivity to lubricant chemical composition with generally higher wear values than the other two bearing systems. Steel-on-alumina bearing systems generally show better wear characteristics than the all-alumina systems which indicates the improved chemical interactions between the steel and the lubricant. This study shows that the chemical reactivity of the lubricant with the bearing surface is important in the wear process.     

Strategies for revealing deformation and wear mechanisms of polymer composites by combining scanning electron microscopy,energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and cross-section techniques—Exemplified by glass fiber reinforced poly-phenylene-sulphide

Polymers and polymer composites are frequently used in tribological applications. However, their use is often limited by excessive wear or plastic deformation, therefore research and development aiming to improve the materials is ongoing. Tribological evaluations of polymer composites often study the friction coefficient and wear rate for different types, sizes and amounts of fillers. But rarely are any mechanisms presented. Although polymer materials differ from metals, the techniques typically used for metal components, for example, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), can be adapted to polymer materials, to achieve more informative SEM micrographs and EDS analyses. The aim of this article is to present useful analysis strategies, from sample preparation and selection of viewing angles, to selection of instrument settings and detector types. The strategies are exemplified by analysis of poly-phenylene-sulphide filled with glass fiber, evaluated against steel in a reciprocating ball-on-flat test set-up. This article takes its starting point with the worn surfaces, and subsequently analyze them using SEM and EDS. A selection of cross section preparation techniques, analysis parameters and microscopy settings are presented and discussed. By combining these techniques and settings, the observation of a strongly modified surface layer, as well as sub-surface plastic deformation and imbedded wear particles, is facilitated.     

Study of tribofilms formed during dry sliding of Ta2AlC/Ag or Cr2AlC/Ag composites against Ni-based superalloys and Al2O3

Herein we show that dry sliding, in air, in the 25–550 °C temperature range, of the novel Ta₂AlC/20 vol.% Ag and Cr₂AlC/20 vol.% Ag composites against Ni-based superalloys (SAs) and alumina led to the formation of steady-state tribofilms whose thicknesses and compositions varied depending on sliding conditions. At elevated temperatures, under both isothermal and thermocyclic conditions, relatively thick (>0.5 μm) well-compacted “glaze” lubricious tribofilms were developed as a result of joint action of tribo-chemical and tribo-mechanical factors involving repeated tribo-oxidation, mixing, fracturing, sintering, etc. They were mainly composed of oxidized constituents from both counterparts (if slid vs. SA) or solely from MAX-Ag ones (vs. Al₂O₃) and possessed a fine multi-layered microstructure, i.e. a more oxidized thin outermost layer and a less oxidized carbide-containing thicker inner layer. During thermocycling the tribofilms adapted to 25–550 °C temperature variations and preserved their primary macro- and microstructure, hardness, good adhesion to the matrix and lubricating characteristics. Consequently, the tribological properties of MAX-Ag/SA tribocouples did not deteriorate, but slightly improved with sliding distance. A possible mechanism of tribofilm generation and their transformations at various temperatures is discussed. The effect of SA and alumina counterparts on the formation and degradation of the tribofilms are also discussed.     

The Influence of the Fractal Dimension of Rough Surfaces on the Adhesion of Elastic Materials

Abstract

In this paper we analyse the adhesion between a rubber block and a rigid randomly rough profile. The focus of the investigation is on the influence of the work of adhesion and of the fractal dimension Df of the rough profile on the contact behaviour. In particular, we analyse how the contact area and the power spectral density of the deformed profile are affected by the two aforementioned quantities. We find that at sufficiently small loads the influence of Df is negligible. However, the scenario strongly changes at higher loads as Df strongly affects the number of contact spots. Calculations show that the contact area depends linearly on the work of adhesion, whereas only a negligible influence of the work of adhesion is found on the power spectral density (PSD) of the deformed profile.     

Molybdenum based amorphous and nanocrystalline coatings prepared by high velocity oxy-fuel spraying

The high velocity oxy-fuel(HVOF) based thermal spray process has developed as a potential advantageous approach for fabricating various kinds of functional coatings.In this article,the coatings of Mo-based alloy were synthesized using the HVOF process.The microstructure and the mechanical properties of the HVOF-processed coatings were investigated using SEM,TEM,XRD,and hardness and wear tests.Annealing treatment was applied to the as-sprayed coatings to develop the microstructure and its effect on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the coatings was examined.It is found that the HVOF-processed Mo-based alloy coatings are comprised of an amorphous splat matrix embedded with nano-sized crystalline particles.Annealing at temperatures over 950 ℃ results into crystallization of the amorphous matrix.The mechanical properties of the as-sprayed coatings are enhanced with annealing temperature up to 750 ℃ and from 950 to 1050 ℃,keeps constant between 750 and 950 ℃,and reduce over 1050 ℃.The change of the mechanical property with the microstructure was illustrated in the study.     

Nanotribology of a Vapor-Phase Lubricant: A Quartz Crystal Microbalance Study of Tricresylphosphate (TCP) Uptake on Iron and Chromium

Adsorption measurements of tricresylphosphate (TCP) on high-purity iron and chromium surfaces have been performed in ultra-high vacuum with a quartz crystal microbalance in conjunction with Auger electron spectroscopy, yielding values for gas uptake rates, molecular slippage, and tribofilm stress levels in the temperature range 25-400°C. At room temperature, TCP uptake is observed to be limited to two layers of intact molecules that are likely to be physisorbed. Above 200°C, the data recorded on both iron and chromium substrates are consistent with far greater uptake levels and extensive interdiffusion of TCP fragments with the substrate. The most noteworthy difference between the two substrates is TCP's fragmentation upon impact on iron, but not chromium, at elevated temperatures.     

Experimental investigation on mechanisms of silicon chemical mechanical polishing

In this research, we conducted a series of experiments to investigate the mechanisms of chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of silicon. Experimental approaches include tribological tests of frictional and lubricating behavior, chemical analysis, and surface characterization. Specifically, the effects of pH in slurry, surface roughness of wafers, and nano-particle size on removal rate were studied. A transmission electron microscope (TEM), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and x-ray characterization tools were used to study the change of surface structure and chemistry. Experimental results indicate that the removal rate and planarization are dominated by the surface chemistry.