Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) polymers are increasingly used in tribological applications. An important aspect of PEEK tribology is the surface temperature reached during sliding. At present, most knowledge of frictional heating in PEEK is based on post-hoc analysis of debris and wear surfaces. In this study, infrared thermography was used to observe the full field temperature map of PEEK against sapphire counterface during ball-on-disc sliding. The measured temperatures matched closely those predicted by flash temperature models. Additionally, friction studies were performed with steel and sapphire counterfaces. It was observed that PEEK debris readily deposited on steel but not on sapphire. The friction studies also indicated a greater adhesive friction response for PEEK against steel compared to PEEK against sapphire. The transfer of PEEK material to the steel surface may elevate the temperature at the sliding interface. Analysis of transfer films on steel suggests that the transferred PEEK was oriented in the direction of sliding. The deposition of debris and formation of oriented films resembled a high temperature drawing process, which was likely to be due to localized frictional heating. The results of this study illustrate the important role transfer films play in determining both the friction and temperature of the PEEK wear interface

Pressure-induced boundary slip in elastohydrodynamic lubrication, on application of an oleophobic coating, is measured by photobleached-fluorescence imaging velocimetry.

This work presents for the first time through-thickness velocity profiles obtained in an EHL contact by photobleached imaging. The velocity profile was inferred by following the evolution of the shape of a photobleached plug formed through the thickness of the fluorescently doped lubricant, oligomer polybutene (PB), in the contact when shear was applied. The proposed methodology was validated by successfully obtaining the expected linear profile with PB experiencing Couette flow. The methodology was then applied to PB in an EHL contact. The variation of the profiles within the contact area was also investigated. The velocity profile of PB in an EHL contact severely deviates from the common linear assumption and exhibits inhomogeneous shear: three regions of varying shear rate have been observed. The phenomenon is shown to be neither due to thermal nor diffusion effects. PB also shows significant slip at the glass-liquid interface. The amount of slip varies with position in the contact. Possible causes, such as pressure-induced viscosity enhancement, as well as the significance of the findings and the benefits of the technique are discussed. The linear velocity profile in an EHL contact is usually assumed for both the film thickness and friction predictions. The profile has, however, never been measured experimentally until now. This work enables the validation of conventional assumptions and the study of flow heterogeneity of lubricants in a contact. This facilitates an improved understanding of the rheology of confined lubricant and hence more accurate predictions of tribological properties.

Molybdenum dialkyl dithiocarbamate (MoDTC) is a friction reducing additive commonly used in lubricants. MoDTC works by forming a low-friction molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂) film (tribofilm) on rubbed surfaces. MoDTC-induced MoS₂ tribofilms have been studied extensively ex-situ; however, there is no consensus on the chemical mechanism of its formation process. By combining Raman spectroscopy with a tribometer, effects of temperature and shear stress on MoS₂ tribofilm formation in steel-steel contacts were examined. Time-resolved Raman spectra of the tribofilm were acquired, together with the instantaneous friction coefficient. The tribofilm is constantly being formed and removed mechanically during rubbing. Increasing shear stress promotes MoS₂ formation. The nature of the tribofilm is temperature-dependent, with high-temperature tribofilms giving a higher friction than lower temperature films. Below a critical temperature T_c, a small amount of MoS₂ gives significant friction reduction. Above T_c, a patchy film with more MoS₂, together with a substantial amount of amorphous carbon attributed to base oil degradation, forms. The composition of this tribofilm evolves during rubbing and a temporal correlation is found between carbon signal intensity and friction. Our results highlight the mechanochemical nature of tribofilm formation process and the role of oil degradation in the effectiveness of friction modifier MoDTC.