Effect of the additive X-1P on the tribological performance and migration behavior of PFPE lubricant at the head-disk interface

Abstract

We study the effect of X-1P as an additive in PFPE lubricants using an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) tribochamber equipped with a mass spectrometer. The studies consist of drag tests in the UHV tribochamber. Two decomposition processes of ZDOL under sliding friction conditions are studied-one is with a carbon film coated slider, and another is with an uncoated Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/-TiC slider. An optical surface analyzer (OSA) is also used to observe the lube migration behavior. We observe that X-1P passivates the head and prevents the catalytic reaction of the PFPE when used as an additive. In addition, X-1P also increases PFPE's mobility and, hence, improves the tribological performance at the head-disk interface.