Study on lubricating mechanisms of La(OH)3 nanocluster modified by compound containing nitrogen in liquid paraffin

Abstract

In this paper, the tribological properties of La(OH)3 nanocluster modified by compound containing nitrogen as additive in liquid paraffin were investigated using four-ball machine. The results show that La(OH)3 nanocluster modified by compound containing nitrogen as additive in liquid paraffin has high load-carrying capacity, good antiwear and friction reduction properties. The lubricating mechanisms were studied by using EPM-810Q model electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) and PHI-5702 multi-technique surface X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS). The results show that the boundary film on the worn surface is made of physically adsorbing film (N-containing organic compound) and tribochemical reaction film (lanthanum oxide). The physically adsorbing film and tribochemical reaction film formed during friction contributed to good tribological properties of La(OH)3 nanocluster modified by compound containing nitrogen as additive in liquid paraffin.