Abstract
In this study, the tribological behaviors of graphene as a lubricant additive for steel/copper and steel/steel friction pairs were compared. For the steel/copper friction pair, the graphene sheets remarkably decreased the coefficient of friction and wear scar depth under low loads, but these slightly increased under high loads. The steel/steel friction pair showed excellent tribological properties even under high loads. Severe plastic deformation on the copper surface reduced the stability of the graphene tribofilm because of a rough copper transfer film on the steel during the running-in period. The results provide a better understanding of the mechanism of graphene as a lubricant additive.
Highlights
Steel and copper alloys are common materials and constituents of engineering machinery
The tribological behaviors of steel/copper and steel/ steel friction pairs were compared under the lubrication of a graphene lubricant
The steel/copper friction pair with thermallyreduced graphene oxide (TRGO) sheets had a COF and wear scar depth that decreased under low load, but slightly increased under high load
Summary
Steel and copper alloys are common materials and constituents of engineering machinery. Several studies have been conducted on friction and wear in steel/copper [1,2,3,4,5,6] and steel/steel [7, 8] friction pairs under lubricated or dry friction conditions. Graphene is a 2D laminated material that has been explored extensively as a novel lubricant additive to further improve the properties of lubrication oil [16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24] It has excellent mechanical and thermal properties as well as good physical and chemical stability [25]. The tribological behavior of graphene as a lubricant additive for steel/copper and steel/steel friction pairs is comparatively studied for the first time. The results offer important guidance on suitable friction pairs lubricated with graphene-based lubricants
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