A comparison of adsorption and boundary lubricant failure

Abstract

A comparison has been made between the reversible adsorption and the friction-reducing properties of long-chain fatty amines on stainless steel. This has shown that adsorption and lubricant failure depend on concentration of amine and temperature in a similar way. Breakdown of lubrication may therefore be associated with reversible desorption of amines from steel surfaces. Measurement of the adsorption properties of the fatty amines indicates a lowering of the isosteric heat of adsorption at low temperatures, which may result from ‘pre-freezing’ of the hydrocarbon solvent.