ENVIRONMENTAL-EFFECTS ON THE COMPOSITION OF SURFACE-FILMS PRODUCED BYAN ORGANOMOLYBDENUM COMPOUND

The influence of environments on the properties of the surface films f ormed with molybdenum dithiocarbamate (MoDTC) was examined under a rec iprocating sliding condition. MoS2 was formed on the rubbing surfaces in air and oxygen, and molybdenum compounds with an oxidation state lo wer than MoS2 were produced in nitrogen and argon. The surface film co mposed Of MoS2 was effective in reducing the friction and wear, while the molybdenum compound formed in nitrogen or argon had no ability to prevent direct contact between the rubbing surfaces and to reduce the friction. It was a necessary condition for forming the surface film co mposed Of MoS2 that the environment to be rubbed contained oxygen at a concentration above a certain level.