B. Bhushan et Yp. Cheng, WEAR AND DEGRADATION MECHANISMS OF MAGNETIC THIN-FILM RIGID DISKS WITH DIFFERENT LUBRICANTS USING MASS-SPECTROMETRY, Journal of applied physics, 81(8), 1997, pp. 5390-5392
Wear and degradation mechanisms of perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricant
s are studied using mass spectrometry and friction measurements during
sliding in a high vacuum environment. Three kinds of lubricants with
nonpolar and polar ends and with and without thermal treatment are app
lied over a thin-film disk with diamondlike film (DLC) overcoat. The r
esults show that fluorocarbon fragments are generated from lubricants
during a period of sliding with a low and stable coefficient of fricti
on, followed by a sharp rise in frictional force and generation of gas
eous products of DLC overcoat material. Increase in the friction is as
sociated with lubricant depletion leading to intimate contact of the s
lider with the DLC overcoat. It is concluded that decomposition of PFP
Es begins from the onset of sliding, and the DLC overcoat starts to we
ar simultaneously from the beginning of the sliding for untreated lubr
icants, but was well protected in the case of chemically bonded lubric
ants. Fully bonded lubricants better protect the DLC followed by parti
ally bonded lubricants. Two bonded lubricants tested, exhibited simila
r performance. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.