Role of thermal, mechanical and oxidising treatment on structure and chemistry of carbon black and its impact on wear and friction Part I: Extreme pressure condition

Abstract

Carbon black was blended in different oil formulations that included base oil with ZDDP and dispersant as well as fully formulated oils. The blended formulations were then subjected to various thermal, oxidative and mechanical treatments to force interaction between the carbon black and different constituents of the oil and thermo-oxidative decomposition products of oil. Wear studies conducted on the treated compositions were compared with formulations that were blended with extracted diesel soot. XANES analysis of extracted diesel soot and treated carbon black were compared to elucidate similarities between the two in terms of their chemical constituents. Tribological and XANES results indicate that it is possible to simulate wear conditions similar to those seen with diesel soot when appropriate thermo-oxidative conditions were used.