Showing papers in "Tribology Letters in 2008"

Micro-Textures in Concentrated Conformal-Contact Lubrication: Effects of Texture Bottom Shape and Surface Relative Motion

Abstract: The geometry of micro-scale textures and the relative motion of surfaces in contact may affect the performance of an elastohydrodynamic lubrication interface. Reported in this paper are the investigations of the effects of texture bottom shape and surface relative motion on lubrication enhancement using numerically generated textures by means of model-based virtual texturing and numerical simulation. These textures are on one of the interacting surfaces in a triangular distribution and have the same density. The results suggest that the bottom shapes involving a micro-wedge and/or a micro-step bearing tend to yield thicker films. The lubrication of selected textured surfaces was also studied under three different relative motions: texture surface moving, un-textured surface moving, and both moving. The results indicate that textures on the faster moving surface offer stronger film thickness enhancement.

Adaptive Mo2N/MoS2/Ag Tribological Nanocomposite Coatings for Aerospace Applications

Abstract: Reactively sputtered Mo2N/MoS2/Ag nanocomposite coatings were deposited from three individual Mo, MoS2, and Ag targets in a nitrogen environment onto Si (111), 440C grade stainless steel, and inconel 600 substrates. The power to the Mo target was kept constant, while power to the MoS2 and Ag targets was varied to obtain different coating compositions. The coatings consisted of Mo2N, with silver and/or sulfur additions of up to approximately 24 at%. Coating chemistry and crystal structure were evaluated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), which showed the presence of tetragonal Mo2N and cubic Ag phases. The MoS2 phase was detected from XPS analysis and was likely present as an amorphous inclusion based on the absence of characteristic XRD peaks. The tribological properties of the coatings were investigated in dry sliding at room temperature against Si3N4, 440C stainless steel, and Al2O3. Tribological testing was also conducted at 350 and 600 °C against Si3N4. The coatings and respective wear tracks were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy, profilometry, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and micro-Raman spectroscopy. During room temperature tests, the coefficients of friction (CoF) were relatively high (0.5–1.0) for all coating compositions, and particularly high against Si3N4 counterfaces. During high-temperature tests, the CoF of single-phase Mo2N coatings remained high, but much lower CoFs were observed for composite coatings with both Ag and S additions. CoF values were maintained as low as 0.1 over 10,000 cycles for samples with Ag content in excess of 16 at% and with sulfur content in the 5–14 at% range. The chemistry and phase analysis of coating contact surfaces showed temperature-adaptive behavior with the formation of metallic silver at 350 °C and silver molybdate compounds at 600 °C tests. These adaptive Mo2N/MoS2/Ag coatings exhibited wear rates that were two orders of magnitude lower compared to Mo2N and Mo2N/Ag coatings, hence providing a high potential for lubrication and wear prevention of high-temperature sliding contacts.

Anti-wear and Friction Reducing Mechanisms of Carbon Nano-onions as Lubricant Additives

Abstract: Carbon nano-onions have better tribological properties than graphite powder when used as additives dispersed in a poly-alpha-olefin base oil. Carbon nano-onions give a better dispersion in the liquid base oil due to their nanometre-scale size. In particular, the anti-wear efficiency of carbon onions under boundary lubrication and mild wear regime is much better than that of graphite powder. This effect can be attributed to the different structure of the carbon layers in the two species. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy were used to characterize the carbon samples, and significant differences in the carbon layer spacing and the density were shown. Wear debris were also observed by the same techniques. In the tribofilm material we depicted new chemical and crystal nano-structures species similar to some microstructures observed in chondrite meteorites, the most interesting one being maghemite iron oxide. The origin of the low friction and wear is still largely unknown.

Surface Texture Effect on Friction of a Microtextured Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)

Abstract: The effect of surface textures on the friction of a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) elastomer has been investigated at both macro and microscales using a nanoindentation-scratching system. Friction tests were conducted by a stainless-steel bearing ball with a diameter of 1.6 mm (macroscale tests) and a Rockwell diamond tip with a radius of curvature of 25 μm (microscale tests) under normal loads of 5, 10, and 25 mN and with a sliding speed of 1 μm/s. Coefficient of friction (COF) on the pillar-textured surface was found to be much lower than that on the smooth surface of the same material, and it was reduced by about 59% at the macroscale tests and 38% at the microscale tests. The reduction of COF can be attributed to the reduced contact areas. The use of the JKR model revealed that the adhesion force has less effect on contacts under higher normal loads. COFs in different sliding directions on the groove-textured surfaces were compared, and a friction anisotropic behavior was identified and analyzed.

The Tribological Properties of Ionic Liquids Composed of Trifluorotris(pentafluoroethyl) Phosphate as a Hydrophobic Anion

Abstract: The tribological properties of trifluorotris(pentafluoroethyl) phosphate [(C2F5)3PF 3 − , FAP]-derived ionic liquids were evaluated under boundary conditions. The anion is hydrophobic in comparison with bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [(CF3SO2)2N−, TFSI]. 1,3-Dialkylimidazolium salts of FAP provided much lower friction than 1,3-dialkylimidazolium salts of TFSI. In addition, the FAP salts exhibit better anti-wear properties than the TFSI salts. Another advantage of the FAP anion is availability of several cations to prepare ionic liquids. For example, tetraalkylphosphonium, N,N-dialkylpyrrolidium, and tetramethylisouronium salts of FAP provided friction coefficient of approximately 0.1. Straight-chain carboxylic acids as model friction-reducing additives improved the tribological properties of the FAP salts. Surface analyses were conducted to study the boundary film formed by rubbing. It was found that the boundary film is composed of adsorbed anion on uppermost surfaces and reacted anion on sub-surfaces. The model friction-reducing additives were found on the rubbed surfaces.

The Pressure–Viscosity Coefficient of Several Ionic Liquids

Abstract: The choice of cation and anion in an ionic liquid (IL) as well as the design of ion side chains determine the fundamental properties of ILs, which permits creating tailor-made lubricants and lubricant additives. So, the study of the influence of molecular structure on thermophysical properties of ionic liquids is essential for their use in lubrication. Recent results from the literature, essentially based on ammonium, phosphonium, or imidazolium cations, are promising from the tribological point of view, but still new investigations should be performed, for example, in elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL), for which calculations of the universal pressure–viscosity coefficient, α film , and central thickness are needed. In this work viscosity and density data from the literature on broad pressure and temperature ranges for the ILs [C4C1im]PF6, [C4C1im]Tf2 N, [C4C1im]BF4, [C8C1im]PF6, [C8C1im]BF4, [C6C1im]PF6, and [C6C1im]Tf2 N are used to determine their α film values over a wide temperature range. The American Gear Manufacturers Association relation of the central thickness with the pressure viscosity coefficient is used to estimate the film-generating capability of these lubricants. Furthermore, an overview of the literature data on tribological and physical properties of the ionic liquids is presented.

In-situ Vapor-Phase Lubrication of MEMS

Abstract: In-situ vapor-phase lubrication of sidewall MicroElectroMechanical System (MEMS) devices is investigated with 1-pentanol vapor. The 1-pentanol vapor successfully maintains lubricating properties between silicon contacts of MEMS devices. This is attributed to the ability of alcohol to adsorb on the silicon surface and sustain a lubricating layer, which prevents wear of the MEMS surfaces and minimizes friction. In the presence of these vapors, MEMS devices with sliding contacts operated without failure for up to a factor of 1.7 × 104 longer than in dry N2 gas alone, representing a dramatic improvement in operating life. Adhesion and friction were also investigated as a function of alcohol vapor pressure. The adhesive force between microfabricated MEMS sidewall surfaces increases from ∼30 to ∼60 nN as the alcohol vapor pressure is increased from 0 to 20% of saturation, and then only slightly increases to ∼75 nN at 95% of saturation vapor pressure. This increase in force is well within the capabilities of even the lowest force on-chip actuators, such as electrostatic comb drives which can typically generate a few μN of force. The static friction force was found to be independent of alcohol vapor pressure within the uncertainties in the measurement.

Thermal Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication of Point Contacts Using a Newtonian/Generalized Newtonian Lubricant

Abstract: The classical ElastoHydroDynamic (EHD) theory assumes a Newtonian lubricant and an isothermal operating regime. In reality, lubricating oils do not behave as perfect Newtonian fluids. Moreover, in most operating conditions of an engineering system, especially at high speeds, thermal effects are important and temperature can no longer be considered as constant throughout the system. This is one reason why there has always been a gap between numerical results and experimental data. This paper aims to show that this gap can be reduced by taking into consideration the heat generation that takes place in the contact and using appropriate rheological models. For this, a unique thermal ElastoHydrodynamic lubrication model is developed for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian lubricants. Pressure, film thickness and traction results are then compared to their equivalent isothermal results and experimental data. The agreement between thermal calculations and experiments reveals the necessity of considering thermal effects in EHD models.

Adhesive Wear Performance of T-OPRP and UT-OPRP Composites

Abstract: In the current work, the effects of treating the oil palm fibres on the tribological performance of polyester composite were studied against polished stainless steel counterface using Block-on-Ring (BOR) technique under dry contact condition. Wear and friction characteristics of treated and untreated oil palm fibre reinforced polyester (T-OPRP and UT-OPRP) composites were evaluated at different sliding distances (0.85-5 km), sliding velocities (1.7-3.9 m/s) and applied loads (30-100 N). SEM observations were performed on the worn surfaces of the composites to examine the damage features. Specific wear rate (Ws), friction coefficient and interface temperature results were presented against the operating parameters. The results revealed that test parameters significantly influenced the wear performance of the composites. Both treated and untreated oil palm fibres enhanced the wear and frictional performance of polyester composites. T-OPRP showed less Ws by about 11% compared to UT-OPRP. This was due to the better interfacial adhesion offered by the treated fibres. The SEM observation made on UT-OPRP worn surface showed debonding and bending of fibres, and fragmentation and deformation on the resinous regions. Meanwhile, T-OPRP composite showed less damages compared to UT-OPRP, where no sign of fibres debonding was observed.

Rolling–Sliding Laboratory Tests of Friction Modifiers in Leaf Contaminated Wheel–Rail Contacts

Abstract: Leaf-related adhesion problems have been present in many railway networks all over the world in the last few decades. Since the early 1970s many measures have been undertaken in order to mitigate the problem. One of the measures adopted by many railway networks is the use of friction modifiers. However, the low adhesion problem still persists. Furthermore, the effectiveness of these friction modifiers has not well proven yet due to the lack of research in controlled conditions. Consequently, the rolling stock operators and infrastructure managers do not clearly understand the performance and side effects of the friction modifiers used on their networks. In this paper, an investigation of the performance of two existent friction modifiers in controlled laboratory conditions is presented. These friction modifiers have been used or tested in several railway networks. A twin-disk roller rig has been used to study their performance in leaf contaminated contacts. The adhesion characteristics of both friction modifiers are examined for different slip ratios. The constituents of the friction modifiers are identified and the solid components are analyzed. In addition, damage that these friction modifiers may cause to wheel and rail is also discussed.

Friction Coefficient Measurement of Hydrogel Materials on Living Epithelial Cells

Abstract: Soft biomaterials are often used in applications that involve contact and relative motion against biological tissues, as well as complicated and variable environments. The friction coefficient of these contacts involving living human cells is of key importance in the analysis and success of these devices. This work measures the contacting friction coefficient between soft hydrogel biomaterial surfaces against live human corneal epithelial cells using a custom micro-tribometer. The friction coefficients were of the order of μ = 0.03 for contacts that did not cause gross destruction of the cell layer. Damage to the confluent cell layer was assessed using a Trypan blue stain with optical microscopy. This damage was quantified statistically using image-processing software. The damage was also correlated to in situ friction measurements, with the lowest friction values seen on undamaged cells and higher friction on damaged regions.

A Possible Link Between Macroscopic Wear and Temperature Dependent Friction Behaviors of MoS2 Coatings

Abstract: Studies to explore the nature of friction, and in particular thermally activated friction in macroscopic tribology, have lead to a series of experiments on thin coatings of molybdenum disulfide. Coatings of predominately molybdenum disulfide were selected for these experiments; five different coatings were used: MoS2/Ni, MoS2/Ti, MoS2/Sb2O3, MoS2/C/Sb2O3, and MoS2/Au/Sb2O3. The temperatures were varied over a range from −80 °C to 180 °C. The friction coefficients tended to increase with decreasing temperature. Activation energies were estimated to be between 2 and 10 kJ/mol from data fitting with an Arrhenius function. Subsequent room temperature wear rate measurements of these films under dry nitrogen conditions at ambient temperature demonstrated that the steady-state wear behavior of these coatings varied dramatically over a range of K = 7 × 10−6 to 2 × 10−8 mm3/(Nm). It was further shown that an inverse relationship between wear rate and the sensitivity of friction coefficient with temperature exists. The highest wear-rate coatings showed nearly athermal friction behavior, while the most wear resistant coatings showed thermally activated behavior. Finally, it is hypothesized that thermally activated behavior in macroscopic tribology is reserved for systems with stable interfaces and ultra-low wear, and athermal behavior is characteristic to systems experiencing gross wear.

Nano/Microtribological Properties of Ultrathin Functionalized Imidazolium Wear-Resistant Ionic Liquid Films on Single Crystal Silicon

Abstract: Ionic liquids (ILs) are considered as a new kind of lubricant for micro/nanoelectromechanical system (M/NEMS) due to their excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. However, so far, only few reports have investigated the tribological behavior of molecular thin films of various ILs. Evaluating the nanoscale tribological performance of ILs when applied as a few nanometers-thick film on a substrate is a critical step for their application in MEMS/NEMS devices. To this end, four kinds of ionic liquid carrying methyl, hydroxyl, nitrile, and carboxyl group were synthesized and these molecular thin films were prepared on single crystal silicon wafer by dip-coating method. Film thickness was determined by ellipsometric method. The chemical composition and morphology were characterized by the means of multi-technique X-ray photoelectron spectrometric analysis, and atomic force microscopic (AFM) analysis, respectively. The nano- and microtribological properties of the ionic liquid films were investigated. The morphologies of wear tracks of IL films were examined using a 3D non-contact interferometric microscope. The influence of temperature on friction and adhesion behavior at nanoscale, and the effect of sliding frequency and load on friction coefficient, load bearing capacity, and anti-wear durability at microscale were studied. Corresponding tribological mechanisms of IL films were investigated by AFM and ball-on-plane microtribotester. Friction reduction, adhesion resistance, and durability of IL films were dependent on their cation chemical structures, wettability, and ambient environment.

Tribological Properties of TiN/Ag Nanocomposite Coatings

Abstract: Morphology, structure, and tribological behavior of magnetron co-sputtered TiN/Ag nanocomposite coatings deposited at 150 °C with an Ag content in the range of 7–45 at.% were characterized. The coatings show a columnar structure with embedded Ag crystallites of 3–50 nm in diameter, where the columns are characterized by a layered structure with Ag-poor and Ag-rich layers. These layers originate from sample rotation during deposition, where the layer thickness increases with increasing Ag content. These Ag layers become continuous over a critical Ag content. At room temperature the friction coefficient is determined by the film structure, whereas friction and wear at high temperature depend on segregation of Ag to the surface.

Arc Evaporation of Ti–Al–Ta–N Coatings: The Effect of Bias Voltage and Ta on High-temperature Tribological Properties

Abstract: Recently, titanium aluminium tantalum nitride (Ti–Al–Ta–N) coatings have been shown to exhibit beneficial properties for cutting applications. However, the reason for the improved behaviour of these coatings in comparison to unalloyed Ti–Al–N is not yet clear. Here, we report on the tribological mechanisms present in the temperature range between 25 and 900 °C for this coating system, and in particular on the effect of the bias voltage during deposition on the tribological response. Based on these results, we provide an explanation for the improved performance of Ta-alloyed coatings. An industrial-scale cathodic arc evaporation facility was used to deposit the coatings from powder metallurgically produced Ti40Al60 and Ti38Al57Ta5 targets at bias voltages ranging from −40 to −160 V. X-ray diffraction experiments displayed a change with increasing bias voltage from a dual-phase structure containing cubic and hexagonal phases to a single-phase cubic structure. Investigations of the wear behaviour at various temperatures showed different controlling effects in the respective temperature ranges. The results of dry sliding tests at room temperature were independent of bias voltage and Ta-alloying, where the atmosphere, i.e. moisture and oxygen, were the most important parameters during the test. At 500 °C, bias and droplet-generated surface roughness were identified to determine the tribological behaviour. At 700 and 900 °C, wear depended on the coating’s resistance to oxidation, which was also influenced by the bias voltage. In conclusion, Ta-alloyed coatings show a significantly higher resistance to oxidation than unalloyed Ti–Al–N which could be an important reason for the improved performance in cutting operations.

Thermoelastohydrodynamic Analysis of Spur Gears with Consideration of Surface Roughness

Abstract: Thermoelastohydrodynamic lubrication (TEHL) analysis for spur gears with consideration of surface roughness is presented. The model is based on Johnson’s load sharing concept where a portion of load is carried by fluid film and the rest by asperities. The solution algorithm consists of two parts. In the first part, the scaling factors and film thickness with consideration of thermal effect are determined. Then, simplified energy equation is solved to predict the surfaces and film temperature. Once the film temperature is known, the viscosity of the lubricant and therefore friction coefficient are calculated. The predicted results for the friction coefficient based on this algorithm are in agreement with published experimental data as well as those of EHL simulations for rough line contact. First point of contact is the point where the asperities carry a large portion of load and the lubricant has the highest temperature and the lowest thickness. Also, according to experimental investigations, the largest amount of wear in spur gears happens in the first point of contact. Effect of speed on film temperature and friction coefficient has been studied. As speed increases, more heat is generated and therefore film temperature will rise. Film temperature rise will result in reduction of lubricant viscosity and consequently decrease in friction coefficient. Surface roughness effect on friction coefficient is also studied. An increase in surface roughness will increase the asperities interaction and therefore friction coefficient will rise.

Effect of the Anion on the Tribological Properties of Ionic Liquid Nano-Films on Surface-Modified Silicon Wafers

Abstract: The films of three kinds of 3-butyl-1-methylimidazolium base ionic liquids with thickness of 2 nm were prepared on hydroxyl-terminated and amino-terminated Si substrates by dip-coating method. As anions, tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate, and adipate, respectively, were chosen. The tribological performances of these thin films were examined by the determination of the film durability and friction coefficient by means of a UMT-2MT tribometer using a steel ball as counterpart. The morphologies of worn surfaces were investigated by a non-contact interferometric microscope. The findings showed that 3-butyl-1-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate having the poorest hydrophilicity of the ionic liquids exhibited the best tribological properties on aminated Si surface at 0.4 N and 4 Hz.

Protic Ionic Liquids with Ammonium Salts as Lubricants for Magnetic Thin Film Media

Abstract: The newly synthesized perfluoropolyether (PFPE) whose terminal group is an ammonium salt with a carboxylic acid has better frictional and anti-corrosion properties when compared to the conventional PFPEs. The friction is almost independent of the PFPE structure, but depends on the amine structures. This modified PFPE uniformly covers the magnetic surfaces; this is why it not only reduces the friction, but also has an effect on the corrosion resistance.

Transition of Mild Wear to Severe Wear in Oxidative Wear of H21 Steel

Abstract: Under atmospheric conditions at 400 °C, we studied the wear mechanism of H21 steel with different tempering states as a function of normal load. Typical oxidative wear was identified by X-ray diffraction patterns with predominant tribo-oxides of Fe3O4 and Fe2O3. Under loads of 50–100 N, mild oxidative wear prevailed for all samples, such that the wear losses of H21 steel with various tempering states showed no significant differences with characteristics of a slight plastic deformation of the substrate and single-layer oxide. In this case, the wear rate was lower, and the tribo-oxide was decisive factor in determining wear rate. Under loads of 150–200 N, the transition of mild wear to severe wear occurred in H21 steel and was characterized by: (1) a significant difference of wear losses for steel with various tempering states; (2) wear loss that started to increase faster and reached a relatively high level; (3) the appearance of significant plastic deformation in the oxide underneath the substrate and multi-layer tribo-oxide. Under a load of 200 N for the steel tempered at 700 °C, plastic extrusion prevailed with a mixed metal-oxide layer.

Transmission Electron Microscopy Analysis of Mo–W–S–Se Film Sliding Contact Obtained by Using Focused Ion Beam Microscope and In Situ Microtribometer

Abstract: To better understand the fundamentals of solid lubrication, microstructural analyses on the wear scar surface and contact interface of Mo–W–S–Se composite films produced by pulsed laser deposition were completed. Focused ion beam (FIB), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy were employed to study the cross-sectional microstructure and chemistry of wear scars. In particular, a novel microtribometer was built for in situ tribological measurements within a FIB microscope. The sliding tip was welded in contact to the wear scar surface on the film under load by re-deposition of sputtering materials from the FIB cut of the tip. Using this technique, cross-sectional TEM specimens were prepared precisely at the contact point without tip/film separation. Here, the in situ FIB microtribometer is critically important for retaining the microstructure of lubricant films as formed at the sliding contact interface between the tip and film without separation. It provides the unique ability to stop sliding, section the contact, and reveal microstructural changes to that contact without disrupting the sliding interface. The cross-sectional TEM measurements were performed on the sliding contact interface for both the regions in contact and just past contact, and both the reorientation and recrystallization of lubricant films were revealed.

Film Forming and Friction Properties of Overbased Calcium Sulphonate Detergents

Abstract: The film-forming and friction properties of overbased calcium sulphonate (OBCaSu) detergents in rolling–sliding, thin film, lubricated contact have been investigated. All of the commercial detergents studied form thick, solid-like, calcium carbonate films on the rubbed surfaces, of thickness 100–150 nm. The films have a pad-like structure, interspersed by deep valleys in which practically no film is present. These films have the effect of increasing friction in intermediate speed conditions, an effect which is believed to occur because the pad structure of the film inhibits fluid entrainment and thus postpones the formation of an EHD film to higher entrainment speeds. Large differences were noted between the boundary friction coefficients of the various detergents tested. Two of them gave very low boundary friction coefficients, in the range 0.06–0.08, while the other two gave considerably higher friction. These differences are believed to originate from differences in the structures of the alkyl chains in the sulphonate detergent molecules. The films formed by OBCaSu detergents can be removed very effectively by treatment with EDTA solution and this shows that the films are effective in preventing wear.

Tribological Properties of Potassium Titanate in the Brake Friction Material; Morphological Effects

Abstract: The tribological characteristics of brake friction materials containing different shapes of potassium titanate were investigated. They contain typical ingredients of a non-asbestos organic based friction material, including potassium titanate in the shapes of whiskers, platelets, and splinters. A Krauss type friction tester is used to obtain thermal stability and wear resistance of the friction materials at elevated temperatures. The results showed that the morphology of potassium titanate plays an important role in the formation of contact plateaus and transfer films on the rubbing surfaces, which are closely associated with tribological properties. The friction material with splinter shape potassium titanate shows better friction stability and improved wear resistance compared to those containing other types of potassium titanate due to larger contact plateaus and stable friction films at the sliding interface. On the other hand, the transfer films produced by the friction materials with platelet or whisker potassium titanate are not sustainable at elevated temperatures since they are easily detached during sliding, resulting in poor wear resistance.

Microstructural and Tribological Properties of A356 Al–Si Alloy Reinforced with Al2O3 Particles

Abstract: In the present study, the effect of the Al2O3 particles (average size of 12 μm, 3 and 10 wt.%) reinforcement on the microstructure and tribological properties of Al–Si alloy (A356) was investigated. Composites were produced by applying compocasting process. Tribological properties of unreinforced alloy and composites were studied, using pin-on-disc tribometer, under dry sliding conditions at different specific loads and sliding speed of 1 m/s. Microhardness measurements, optical microscope and scanning electron microscope were used for microstructural characterization and investigation of worn surfaces and wear debris. During compocasting of A356 alloy, a transformation from a typical dendritic primary α phase to a non-dendritic rosette-like structure occurred. Composites exhibited better wear resistance compared with unreinforced alloy. Presence of 3 wt.% Al2O3 particles in the composite material affected the wear resistance only at specific loads up to 1 MPa. The wear rate of composite with 10 wt.% Al2O3 particles was nearly two order of the magnitude lower than the wear rate of the matrix alloy. Dominant wear mechanism for all materials was adhesion, with others mechanisms: oxidation, abrasion and delamination as minor ones.

High-Temperature Tribological Properties of 2-Substituted Imidazolium Ionic Liquids for Si3N4-Steel Contacts

Abstract: Novel ionic liquid lubricants based on monocationic and dicationic 2-substituted imidazolium ionic liquids were synthesized and evaluated as lubricants at 250 °C. Results showed that both monocationic and dicationic 2-substituted imidazolium ionic liquids with bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion have excellent friction-reducing and anti-wear properties at high temperature, which is ascribed to the high chemical and thermal inertness.

Contact Fatigue Analysis of a Dented Surface in a Dry Elastic–Plastic Circular Point Contact

Abstract: The present article proposes a methodology for the computational analysis of damage induced in the vicinity of dents in a dry circular point contact under repeated rolling. The failure risk is evaluated through the use of the Dang Van multiaxial fatigue criterion. The dent is a typical surface defect encountered in rolling element bearings when operating in contaminated environments. It is usually created by a solid particle not removed by seals or filters when passing through an EHL conjunction. Since local plasticity occurs when the debris is first entrapped between the contacting surfaces, and later when the resulting dents are subjected to moving contact load, the elastic–plastic behavior of the material should be captured by the model. First, the dent shape and the subsurface stress and strain fields produced by the presence of a spherical particle are obtained by the finite element method. Second, the rolling of the load over the surface defect is simulated using a semi-analytical elastic–plastic code. The simulations are carried out for two different debris materials, both ductile but one significantly softer than the contacting surfaces, i.e., made of stainless steel 316L, the other one being made of bearing steel AISI 52100 similar to the contacting surfaces. The dent shape and initial stress and strain states are first presented. Subsequent stress and strain states after a few rolling cycles are then presented. Finally the effects of the coefficient of friction, presence of residual stress, and contact load magnitude are highlighted.

Tribological Behavior of Ti3SiC2 Sliding Against Ni-based Alloys at Elevated Temperatures

Abstract: The dry sliding behaviors of titanium silicon carbide (Ti3SiC2) against Ni–Cr and Ni–Cr–Ti alloys from ambient temperature up to 600 °C were investigated. The tribological performance of Ti3SiC2 depends largely on counterface materials. Fracture and pullout of Ti3SiC2 grains followed by mechanical mix led to poor tribological property for Ti3SiC2/Ni–Cr alloy tribo-pair. However, for Ti3SiC2/Ni–Cr–Ti alloy tribo-pair, the oxides film of Ti on Ni–Cr–Ti alloy was effective to reduce friction coefficient and enhance wear resistance.

Fiber Wobbling Method for Dynamic Viscoelastic Measurement of Liquid Lubricant Confined in Molecularly Narrow Gaps

Abstract: An understanding of the viscoelastic properties of molecularly thin lubricant film is essential to clarify tribological issues of head-disk interface (HDI) in high-density recording hard disk drives. Characteristic conditions for the HDI occur when lubricant molecules are extremely confined in the gap between the head and the disk surfaces, and the surfaces slide at high speeds. The lower the flying height, the more this confinement affects the flying characteristics. However, a few attempts have been made at clarifying the dynamic viscoelastic properties of confined lubricant molecules. This is because a method of measuring the dynamic shear force has not yet been established. Fiber wobbling method enables us to measure the shear force with a detection limit of less than 1 nN. Additionally, frequency of shear can be set at several kHz. Further, the gap which confines the lubricant is controlled with a resolution of 0.1 nm. Using the FWM, we investigated the effect that confinement had on the dynamic viscoelastic properties of perfluoropolyether lubricants on a magnetic disk. We found that the viscosity started to increase at a gap width that was less than a few hundred nanometers, which is hundreds of times larger than the molecular size. On the other hand, elasticity suddenly appeared at a gap width that was less than a few nanometers, which is equivalent to a few molecular sizes. Both the viscosity and elasticity increased monotonically as the gap decreased.

The Influence of Anchoring-Group Structure on the Lubricating Properties of Brush-Forming Graft Copolymers in an Aqueous Medium

Abstract: We have compared the lubricating properties of two different PEG-grafted, polycationic, brush-forming copolymers to gain a deeper understanding of the role of the polyionic backbone in the lubricating behavior of such materials, when used as additives in aqueous lubricant systems. Previously, poly(l-lysine)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLL-g-PEG) has been shown to adsorb onto oxide surfaces from aqueous solution and substantially lower frictional forces. Poly(allylamine)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) (PAAm-g-PEG), which also has a polycationic backbone, has been synthesized in several different architectures, and its performance investigated via adsorption tests, rolling- and sliding-contact tribometry, and the surface forces apparatus. These tests show a clear reduction of friction forces with PAAm-g-PEG compared to water alone. However, when compared with PLL-g-PEG, while PAAm-g-PEG copolymers did not adsorb to the same extent or exhibit as high a lubricity in sliding geometry, they showed a similar lubricating effect under rolling conditions. The difference in the chemical structure of the backbones, especially the flexibility of the anchoring groups, appears to significantly influence both the extent and kinetics of polymer adsorption, which in turn influences lubrication behavior.

Utilizing the Explicit Finite Element Method for Studying Granular Flows

Abstract: Granular flows are systems of complex dry particulates whose behavior is difficult to predict during sliding contact. Existing computational tools used to simulate granular flows are particle dynamics, cellular automata (CA), and continuum modeling. In the present investigation, another numerical tool—the explicit finite element method (FEM)—is analyzed as a potential technique for simulating granular flow. For this purpose, explicit dynamic finite element models of parallel shear cells were developed. These models contained 52 particles and consisted of granules that are both round and multi-shaped (diamond, triangle, and rectangle). Each parallel shear cell consisted of a smooth stationary top wall and a rough bottom surface that was given a prescribed velocity of U = 0.7 in/sec (1.78 cm/s). The coefficient of friction (COF) between the particle–particle and particle–wall collisions was varied between 0.0 and 0.75. Utilizing the output of the simulations, results are presented for the shear behavior, particle kinetic energy, and particle stresses within the shear cell as a function of time. As a means of validating the explicit technique for granular flow, a 75 particle, zero roughness, couette shear cell model (solid fraction of 0.50) is subsequently presented for which direct comparisons are made to the results published by Lun. [Lun, C.K. et al.: Phys. Fluids 8, 2868–2883 (1996)] Overall, the results indicate that the explicit FEM is a powerful tool for simulating granular flow phenomena in sliding contacts. In fact, the explicit method demonstrated several advantages over existing numerical techniques while providing equivalent accuracy to the molecular dynamics (MD) approach. These advantages included being able to monitor the collision (sub-surface and surface) stresses and kinetic energies of individual particles over time, the ability to analyze any particle shape, and the ability to capture force chains during granular flow.

Dry Reciprocating Sliding Friction and Wear Response of WC–Ni Cemented Carbides

Abstract: A number of WC–Ni based cemented carbide grades with distinctive binder contents were tested with the goal to evaluate their dry reciprocating sliding friction and wear behaviour against WC–6 wt.%Co cemented carbide using a Plint TE77 tribometer and distinctive normal contact loads. The generated wear tracks were analysed by scanning electron microscopy and quantified volumetrically using surface scanning topography. The experimental results revealed one WC–Ni grade with superior wear performance.