TRIBOCHEMICAL STUDIES BY XPS ANALYSIS OF TRANSFER FILMS OF NYLON-11 AND ITS COMPOSITES CONTAINING COPPER-COMPOUNDS

The transfer films of Nylon 11 and its composites with CuS, CuAc and C uF2 formed on the steel disk surfaces were studied by X-ray photoelect ron spectroscopy. The study revealed that CuS and CuF2 decomposed unde r the rubbing conditions and produced copper, FeF6 group and FeSO4. Th e analysis at different depths in the transfer films indicated higher concentrations of these species closer to the transfer film-counterfac e interface. There was no chemical change detected when unfilled Nylon 11 and CuAc-Nylon composite rubbed against the steel disk surfaces. T hese results have been used to hypothesize the mechanism by which the transfer films of these materials influence wear.