In-Situ Observation of the Effect of the Tribofilm Growth on Scuffing in Rolling-Sliding Contact

Abstract General reductions in lubricant viscosities many machine components mean that the role of additives forming tribofilms has become increasingly important to provide adequate surface protection against scuffing. However, relationship between scuffing and formation removal not been systematically demonstrated. In this study, a step-sliding speed test based on contra-rotation using MTM-SLIM ETM-SLIM employed observe concurrently tribofilm thickness onset The initial sliding used was found significantly affect performance since it determines extent which can form before critical conditions are reached. general, formed thicker tribofilms, especially ZDDPs triphenyl phosphate, gave effective scuffing, though their protective were progressively removed at higher speeds, eventually resulting Graphical