Dispersant Effects on Zinc Dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) Tribofilm Structure and Composition

摘要

For decades, global regulations and government mandates have driven technological developments to improve vehicle fuel economy. Tribological components found in all automotive engines contain metal-on-metal contact zones that may result in increased friction and wear, reducing overall engine efficiency. Lubricant additives such as antiwear and friction modifying components are added to motor oils to prevent some of the damages that may occur at contact zones and improve friction. The effects of other additive components, such as dispersants, that are prevalent in a lubricant additive package on the anti-wear layer remain relatively unknown. Polyisobutenyl Succinimide (PIBSI) dispersants were evaluated for their interactions with the ZDDP antiwear component. The physical and chemical properties and friction of the tribofilms formed in presence of dispersants were defined revealing a previously unknown structure-activity relationship. Further analysis of ZDDP and dispersants revealed surface and bulk fluid interactions.