Inhibition of Micro-pitting by Tribofilm-Forming ZrO2 Nanocrystal Lubricant Additives: A Micro-pitting Rig and Transmission Electron Microscope Study

Lahouij, Imene; Gould, B.; Demas, N.; Greco, A.; Chen, Z.; Cooper, G. D.; Jackson, A.; Carpick, Robert W.

doi:10.1007/s11249-021-01555-2

Title: Inhibition of Micro-pitting by Tribofilm-Forming ZrO₂ Nanocrystal Lubricant Additives: A Micro-pitting Rig and Transmission Electron Microscope Study

Journal Article · Thu Jan 06 00:00:00 EST 2022 · Tribology Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11249-021-01555-2· OSTI ID:1923017

^[1]; Gould, B. ^[2]; Demas, N. ^[3]; Greco, A. ^[3]; Chen, Z. ^[4]; Cooper, G. D. ^[5]; Jackson, A. ^[6]; Carpick, Robert W. ^[6]

PSL Research Univ., Sophia Antipolis (France); Univ. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (United States)
The Chemours Company, Newark, DE (United States); Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Lemont, IL (United States)
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Lemont, IL (United States)
Interlink Electronics, Camarillo, CA (United States); Pixelligent Technologies LLC, Baltimore, MD (United States)
AquaLith Advanced Materials Inc., College Park, MD (United States); Pixelligent Technologies LLC, Baltimore, MD (United States)
Univ. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (United States)

The drive to reduce fuel consumption in transportation has encouraged the emergence of low viscosity lubricants to reduce viscous losses in the engine, drivetrain, and other components. However, viscosity reduction increases the risk of surface damage, thus motivating the development of new anti-wear (AW) additives. Capped ZrO₂ nanocrystals (NCs) in base oils have been shown to form AW tribofilms within microscale sliding contacts. However, the potential of ZrO₂ NCs to protect surfaces subjected to rolling-sliding contact from macroscale damage, such as micro-pitting, remains unexplored. Here, we explore the ability of ZrO₂ NCs to form protective tribofilms under harsh conditions using a micro-pitting rig (MPR), consisting of a three ring-on-roller configuration. The experiments were conducted in polyalphaolephin (PAO) base oil, with and without 5 nm diameter ZrO₂ NCs, at two levels of slide-to-roll ratio (SRR) (30% and 0%) and at variable test durations up to long durations (119 h). MPR results showed the use of ZrO₂ NCs gives rise to the formation of a tribofilm covering the roller surfaces and decreases the initiation and propagation of micro-pits compared to tests in pure PAO base stock. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) performed on focused ion beam (FIB) milled cross-sectional samples of the roller surfaces revealed the growth of dense and 50–100 nm thick ZrO₂-based tribofilms independent of (SRR), indicating the potential for robust micro-pitting fatigue protection. Nevertheless, small cracks localized within the near surface region of the roller tested at the most severe conditions (30% SRR and 119 h) were observed. The initiation of these cracks was directly related to the presence of manganese sulphide (MnS) inclusions in the steel, revealed using TEM combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Furthermore, the results highlight the benefits of the protective tribofilms formed by ZrO₂ NCs and suggest approaches for further optimizing their use.

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Research Organization:: Univ. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (United States); Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States); Pixelligent Technologies LLC, Baltimore, MD (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Advanced Manufacturing Office; NSF National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure Program

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0009120; SC0009222; NNCI-2025608

OSTI ID:: 1923017

Journal Information:: Tribology Letters, Vol. 70, Issue 1; ISSN 1023-8883

Publisher:: SpringerCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Inhibition of Micro-pitting by Tribofilm-Forming ZrO2 Nanocrystal Lubricant Additives: A Micro-pitting Rig and Transmission Electron Microscope Study

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Title: Inhibition of Micro-pitting by Tribofilm-Forming ZrO₂ Nanocrystal Lubricant Additives: A Micro-pitting Rig and Transmission Electron Microscope Study