Control of Lubrication properties developed by elucidating the dynamics of soft lubricant film

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K03844
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 18040:Machine elements and tribology-related
• Research Institution: Ichinoseki National College of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Takiwatari Koji 一関工業高等専門学校, その他部局等, 准教授 (70633353)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 潤滑剤 / その場観察 / 赤外分光法 / エリプソメトリ―

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, unique lubricating mechanism was suggested from the results of investigation of soft lubricating film formed by organic additives. Structure of the lubricating film was analyzed dynamically using in-situ observations with infrared spectroscopy and ellipsometry, and the correlation between the structure and lubrication property was investigated. Lubricant film was thicker because amide additive was incorporated to contact zone, and low traction coefficient was obtained compared to urea containing lubricant. Moreover, effect of additive structure and base oil polarity was investigated, and structure of lubricant film near the interface were analyzed dynamically. The results implied that lubricant film thickness and concentration of additive were controlled by chemical structure of additive and base oil. Under shear condition, it was found that soft layer formed by amide additive was concentrated at the area with about 100 nm from interface.

Free Research Field

トライボロジー

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

界面近傍にソフトな薄膜を形成する有機添加剤を用い、その潤滑膜構造を直接捉えることで低摩擦発現のメカニズムと共に潤滑特性の制御に関する知見を得ることができたと考える。 得られた成果は、特に低摩擦を発現する半固体状潤滑剤の開発、その関連技術の発展に直接寄与すると期待される。また、界面近傍において添加剤由来のソフトな膜が形成されることが明らかになっており、有機系摩擦調整剤や高分子添加剤への展開が可能で今後において応用の範囲が広いと言える。さらに添加剤や基油の分子構造によって、接触部における添加剤の濃度や膜厚の制御が可能であることから、様々なニーズに応えられる新たな潤滑剤の開発が可能となる。