Imaging and Characterization of System Surfaces and Tribologically Relevant Interaction Processes of Tribological Systems with ToF-SIMS

摘要

The imaging acquisition and characterization of structures and compositions of tribological system surfaces enables the analysis of tribological system states: (i) in relation to the analyzed dimensions (localization and time), (ii) within different system regions, (iii) in correlation with the characterization of the related tribological interaction processes, and (iv) in correlation with the ascertainment of the temporal development of these processes. For such system states within real systems, relevant distinctions and dependencies can be determined in dependence on the considered system regions and the operation times. For systems of grease-lubricated high-speed rolling element bearings, results of systematic investigations on different elements of the tribological systems in the contact regions are presented. The utilization of spatially resolved investigation methods and procedures enables this kind of characterizations of the investigated tribological systems. Tribologically relevant interaction processes like wear, boundary layer formation, oxidation, adsorption and molecular lubricant degradation are considered. Emphases of the presented results are located in the fields of lubricant characterization and characterization of related tribological acting processes for the considered systems.