Abstract: | The load‐carrying capacity, wear and friction properties of 2‐octoxyl methylthio‐benzothiazole (DEOY) and 2‐dodecylthio methylthio‐benzothiazole (DEMB) added to a synthetic lubricant (diester) were evaluated using a four‐ball test machine. The results indicate that the two compounds added to the diester possess good load‐carrying capacities and excellent anti‐wear and friction reduction properties. The thermal stability of the two compounds under nitrogen atmosphere was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was found that the compounds DEOY and DEMB possess excellent thermal stability. The surface topography of the rubbed surface was investigated with scanning electron microscopy, the elemental chemical nature of the anti‐wear films generated on steel counterface were investigated with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |