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Effect of Relative Humidity on Micropitting Behavior in Rolling–Sliding Contacts with Zinc Dialkyldithiophosphate-Containing Lubricants

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Abstract

Two different lubricants containing zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) additive were tested in a rolling–sliding contact test rig (micropitting rig) at different relative humidities. The effect of relative humidity on the bulk properties (e.g., viscosity, water concentration, water saturation level) of the lubricants and their tribological performance (e.g., friction, wear, micropitting level) as well as the related tribochemistry was extensively explored. Relative humidity had a limited effect on the viscosity of the tested lubricants. However, the friction and micropitting level decreased, while the wear increased at higher relative humidity. This increased wear was attributed to a thinner tribofilm and shorter chain length of the polyphosphates derived from the ZDDP additive. Hydrolysis of the ZDDP additive occurred, and the polar water molecules limited the access of the ZDDP additive to the substrate. The different polarities of the two base oils (Ester, polyalphaolefin) also led to different tribological and tribochemical performance.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant Number 51905463]; the Outstanding Young Core Teacher Program of Xuchang University; the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program for College Students in Henan Province [Grant Number S202010480028]; and the training plan of young core teachers in universities of Henan Province [Grant Number 2020GGJS207]. The authors would also like to thank Dr. Ileana Nedelcu from SKF ERC, the Netherlands, for carrying out the XPS measurements.

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  1. School of Mechano-Electronic Engineering, Xuchang University, Xuchang, Henan, 461000, People’s Republic of China

    Hui Cen, Dan Bai, Yanpu Chao, Yaohui Li & Ruihua Li

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Cen, H., Bai, D., Chao, Y. et al. Effect of Relative Humidity on Micropitting Behavior in Rolling–Sliding Contacts with Zinc Dialkyldithiophosphate-Containing Lubricants. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 30, 2781–2797 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-021-05561-2

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