The lubricant-surface system is complex in nature and can significantly affect the frictional performance of high-performance transmission systems. The complexity stems from the coupled mechanical and chemical phenomena that occur at the interfacial tooth conjunctions. A combined analytical and precision experimental approach is presented to analyse the salient parameters of the lubricant-surface system. A multiscale procedure comprising topographical measurement, pin-on-disc tribometry, atomic force microscopy in lateral force mode, X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy and continuum contact mechanics analysis under mixed non-Newtonian thermo-elastohydrodynamics is used to describe the formation of a tribo-film, as well as wear and frictional characteristics of the lubricant-surface system. The contribution of chemisorbed and physisorbed bonded tribo-film on the boundary coefficient of friction is ascertained at different physical scales. Therefore, the paper presents a novel multiscale analysis, promoting improved understanding of the complex interactions between mechanisms of friction, wear and surface chemistry.
This paper investigates the frictional performance of a PECVD hydrogenated undoped DLC coating and the alternative super-finished gear steel surface pairs. A tribometer replicates the conditions found in the conjunction of a performance racing transmission spur gear pair. In mixed and boundary regimes of lubrication the DLC contact is shown to have a lower coefficient of friction despite having comparable surface topography when measured using optical interferometry. To determine the mechanisms responsible for improved friction of DLC coated tribo-pairs atomic force microscopy is used. It is shown that the nanoscale surface topography of the investigated PECVD DLC coated pairs reduces the real asperity contact area formed at the same load carrying capacity. This highlights a contributing mechanism for improved friction with the DLC coating.
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