EVALUATION OF FRICTIONAL-PROPERTIES OF TRIBOMATERIALS UNDER SPARSE LUBRICATION

Frictional properties of typical tribomaterials are evaluated under sp arse lubrication conditions where lubricating oil is supplied but its amount is far from sufficient even for boundary lubrication. These con ditions are provided by employing a mist oiling system which can conti nuously supply oil at constant, extremely low and quantitatively contr olled rates. First, basic data on the properties of the oil mist are g iven and a quantitative determination of oil supply onto a sliding sur face is described. Then frictional properties evaluated under stepwise increasing loads are presented for iron/steel, surface modification, ceramics and self-lubricating materials, and their characteristic beha viour is discussed.