Tribological Behavior of Phosphor Bronze against SAE52100 Steel under Different Lubricants

Abstract

The friction and wear properties of phosphor bronze discs sliding against SAE52100 steel balls were evaluated using an Optimol SRV reciprocating friction and wear tester under the lubrication of pure poly-alpha-olefin (PAO) and PAO containing commercial phosphite ester, zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDTP) and oleic acid additives. The morphologies of the worn surfaces of the phosphor bronze discs were observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition, the elemental compositions and chemical states of several typical elements on the worn surfaces of the phosphor bronze discs were examined by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The findings indicated that the phosphor bronze discs exhibited higher wear resistance under the lubrication of PAO containing phosphite ester than pure PAO, PAO containing ZDTP, and PAO containing oleic acid. Also, the phosphor bronze discs exhibited stable friction coefficients as low as 0.09-0.11 when lubricated with PAO containing phosphite ester. According to the XPS analyses, it was considered that the formation of CuO and phosphate led to lower friction coefficient and high wear resistance of phosphor bronze specimens lubricated with PAO containing phosphite ester. In the case of the phosphor bronze specimens lubricated with PAO containing ZDTP and oleic acid, the formation of organic compounds seemed to lead to lower friction coefficient, but did not seem to affect the wear resistance.