Robert S. Owens

Chemical effects in the boundary lubrication of aluminum

Abstract The effect of chemical attachment in boundary lubrication is strikingly demonstrated by the relative lubricating properties on aluminum of 1-cetene and cetane in thrust washer experiments. The unreactive hydrocarbon cetane permitted galling and seizing of the aluminum to occur with high friction. However, the use of the reactive 1-cetene resulted in sliding taking place at low friction. The role of aluminum oxide particles and their relation to wear is discussed. The basic requirements for a good boundary lubricant for aluminum are shown to be (1) chemical attachment to the fresh aluminum surface formed in rubbing, (2) sufficient chain length and (3) polarity to coat abrasive aluminum oxide wear particles.

Boundary lubrication of titanium-titanium and tttanium-steel

Abstract The lubrication of titanium-titanium and titanium-steel interfaces has long been a problem because of titaniums poor wear resistance and its susceptibility to galling and seizure. A new class of boundary lubricants for titanium has been developed which obviates these problems. These lubricants are charge transfer complexes of iodine and aromatic compounds. The use of these compounds as boundary lubricants results in a marked reduction in the coefficient of friction and wear. They may also be used as additives to oil with the same beneficial results.

Iodine as an extreme pressure lubricant additive

Abstract Iodine charge transfer complexes have been investigated as lubricants for stainless steels and low carbon steels. These complexes, either by themselves or as additives to hydrocarbon oils, function as effective boundary lubricants over a wide range of surface pressure. The addition of as little as a fraction of one per cent iodine, in the form of a charge transfer complex, to a hydrocarbon oil increased its load carrying capacility by a factor of almost one hundred and markedly reduced the wear. The effect of iodine concentration on both friction and wear has been evaluated for a number of steels. Preliminary experiments indicate that iodine complexes also function as good boundary lubricants for nickel, babbitt, and cobalt. The mechanism of lubrication appears to be the reaction of iodine with the wearing metal surface to form a metal diiodide, a lamellar solid having a crystal structure similar to molybdenum disulfide.

Boundary lubrication of chrome steel

Abstract The use of iodine-anisole or iodine-anisole-turbine oil as boundary lubricants for chrome steel rather than turbine oil alone resulted in a reduction of the coefficient of friction and a marked decrease in wear.