High Resolution XPS Analysis of New Lubricants and Materials for Tribology Under Extreme Conditions

摘要

A high resolution x-ray photoemission spectrometer has been purchased for study of the chemistry of vapor phase lubricants and new tribological materials such as quasicrystals. Typical vapor phase lubricants are compounds such as tricresylphosphate which react with iron surfaces to form lubricating films at high temperatures. Understanding the mechanism by which they decompose on surfaces to form these films is central to developing new VP lubricants or improving the performance of existing VP lubricants. Because of their complexity, high resolution spectroscopy is needed to follow the course of their reactions on surfaces. Quasicrystals are also materials which have potential for use as low friction coatings at high temperatures. These are complex alloys with three or more components which, because of their complexity would benefit from study using high resolution XPS. Understanding the kinetics of their oxidation is important to understanding their performance as high temperature oxidation resistant low friction coatings. The XPS equipment needed for these studies has been purchased and a new ultra-high vacuum chamber is being constructed to house the components of this spectrometer.