Ultralow friction of tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) film in environmentally friendly ester-based oils

摘要

The tribological properties of diamond-like carbon (DLC) films under lubrication with environmentally friendly ester-based oils were investigated. Sliding tests were performed using different types of DLC films - a-C:H and tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) films - at a contact condition between a DLC disk and steel ball. Trimethylolpropane (TMP), polypropylene glycol (PPG) and poly-alpha olefin (PAO) were used as lubricants. The ta-C film lubricated with TMP and PPG exhibited ultralow friction phenomena. It is assumed that the TMP and PPG formed a tribo-film, which led to ultralow friction on the ta-C surface during the friction test.