Effect of natural attapulgite powders as lubrication additive on the friction and wear performance of a steel tribo-pair

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 307; pp. 86 - 91
• Main Authors: Nan, Feng, Xu, Yi, Xu, Binshi, Gao, Fei, Wu, Yixiong, Tang, Xinhua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.07.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Additives; Attapulgite; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Contact; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Friction; Lubricant additive; Lubrication; Oxides; Physics; Steels; Tribo-film; Tribological properties; Tribology; Wear; Attapulgite; Tribological properties; Tribo-film; Lubricant additive; Friction; Lubricants; Wear; Lubrication
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2014.03.170

•We investigate the effect of natural attapulgite powders as lubrication additive on the friction and wear performance of a steel tribo-pair.•Attapulgite powders can remarkably decrease the friction coefficient and wear rate of carbon steel friction couples.•A tribofilm composed of iron oxides and silicon oxides has formed on the worn surface under the lubrication of oil containing attapulgite powders.•We reveal the friction-reducing and anti-wear mechanism from the standpoint of tribochemistry, mineralogy and materials science. Tribological properties of the surface-modified attapulgite powders as additive to lubricating oil for mated steel contact were investigated. The results indicated that the attapulgite powders exhibit good performance in reducing wear and friction coefficient. Such effect can be attributed to the formation of a smooth and compact tribo-film composed of multiple oxides on the worn surface.