Effects of lubricant additives on tribological properties of poly-acetal under boundary lubrication

Abstract

The objective of this study was to elucidate the effect of lubricant additives on the tribological properties of poly-acetal (POM) and steel materials under boundary lubrication. To investigate the effects of lubricant additives on the tribological properties of POM and structural changes at the friction interface, friction tests and surface analyses were conducted using friction modifiers and anti-wear additives among the lubricant additives under uniform atmosphere conditions other than the additives. The test materials used were POM ring specimens and S45C discs as mating materials. This test was conducted using a ring-on-disk friction test configuration in which the POM ring was rotated by a motor while the POM ring was pressed against the S45C disc at a constant load. As a result, it was found that lubricant additives inhibited the friction-reducing effect of POM regardless of the type of additives. In addition, it was inferred that the friction-reducing effect of POM was due to the POM transfer film formed on the steel material.