Influences of Nanoscale Serpentine Content on Self-Repairing Performance of Metal Pairs Under High Temperature

Serpentine nano-particulates used as lubricating oil additives were prepared by high energy ball mill. The nanoscale serpentine powder was characterized by means of X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The effects of nanoscale serpentine content on tribological properties at 400 °C high temperature were investigated on a ring-plate tribometer. Meanwhile, the worn surface of friction pairs were observed and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry. From the experimental results, it could be inferred that the mass fraction had a direct influence on the generation of self-repairing film. As the result of friction chemical reaction, the generated protective layer and minimum frictional coefficient were obtained with the content of serpentine powder of 8%. The dominant factor of self-repairing mechanism was discussed from the view of tribochemical reaction and isomorphic replacement in mineralogy petrology.