Tribological properties of linear phosphazene oligomers as lubricants

The friction and wear behavior of a steel-on-steel contact lubricated by two novel synthetic linear phosphazene oligomers with different side branches and by perfluoropolyethers (PFPE) was comparatively investigated on an oscillating friction and wear tester. The thermal stability of the lubricants was investigated by means of thermogravimetric analysis. The worn surfaces were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectrometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that the two synthetic linear phosphazene oligomers were more effective than PFPE in increasing the wear-resistance of the steel-on-steel frictional pair. The phosphazene oligomer having aromatic rings had better friction-reducing ability and higher thermal stability, and that having fluoropolyether gave higher load-carrying capacity. Tribochemical reaction was involved in the sliding of steel against steel under the lubrication of the lubricants, with the generation of a protective layer composed of inorganic fluoride FeF2 and organic compounds consisting of C, F, O, N and P. The protective layer originated from the tribochemical reaction together with the adsorbed boundary lubricating layer containing organic compounds played an important role in improving the friction and wear behavior of the steel-on-steel system.