Triboemission of Electrons and Ions During Wear of Solids Under Boundary Lubrication with Saturated Hydrocarbon Liquids

The triboemission behavior of charged particles was measured under boundary lubrication of saturated hydrocarbon liquids during scratching of various solids by a diamond stylus. The solids tested were the metals Cu, Al and Fe, ceramics Si, ZrO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, soda lime glass and mica, polymers of 6, 6-nylon and PTFE. Saturated hydrocarbons of n-hexane, n-undecane and n-hexadecane were used as lubricating oils. Triboemission occurred in bursts and ceased abruptly as scratching was started and stopped. The emission intensity of the charged particles depended closely on the kinds of solids, especially on their insulating properties, with an increase of emission intensity in the order of conductor < semiconductor < insulator. The emission intensity decreased as the hardness of the solids increased. These emission characteristics under the boundary lubrication condition are principally the same as in dry friction under ambient conditions. Presented at the 49th Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania May 1–5, 1994