EFFECTS OF SURFACTANTS ON THE TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF A CR2O3 COATING

A block-on-ring tester was used to investigate the effects of surfacta nts on the tribological properties of a Cr2O3 coating at ambient condi tions. The results show that the critical micelle concentrations (CMCs ) of surfactants have significant effects on the friction and wear pro perties of Cr2O3 coating. The friction and wear decrease rapidly up to the CMC but become stable above the CMC. Compared with water, the sur factants (above the CMC) can markedly reduce the friction; sodium dode cyl benzyl sulphanate and sorbitan monooleate have effective wear-redu cing functions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses show that th e lubricity of surfactants is due to their physical adsorption on rubb ing surfaces.