Tribological properties and tribochemistry mechanism of sulfur-containing triazine derivatives in water-glycol

Two triazine derivatives, 6-(diethanolamino)−2,4-bi-(sodium sulfanilate-yl)−1,3,5-triazine (STB) and 6-(ethyl xanthate)−2,4-bi-(sodium sulfanilate-yl)−1,3,5-triazine (STC) were synthesized and used as additives in water-glycol base fluid (mass ratio 1:1). Water solubility tests indicated that STB and STC met the solubility prerequisite for a water-soluble additive. The tribological tests by using a four-ball tribometer showed that, STB and STC both improved greatly the PB value, antiwear and friction-reducing capacities of the base fluid. Based on friction test results and wear scars' analysis, it was concluded that the differences in tribological performances of STB and STC samples were mainly due to the differences of the sulfur content and the sulfur activity in additives. XPS found that STB-tribofilm mainly contained sulfate, but STC-tribofilm additionally contained sulfide.