The effect of LaF3 nanocluster modified with succinimide on the lubricating performance of liquid paraffin for steel-on-steel system

LaF3 nanocluster modified with succinimide was prepared. The effect of the modified LaF3 nanocluster on the lubricating performance of liquid paraffin for steel-on-steel sliding system was investigated on a four-ball machine. The morphology of LaF3 and its lubricating mechanisms as additive in liqui d paraffin were studied by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that LaF3 nanoclus ter modified with succinimide as an additive in liquid paraffin increased t he load-carrying capacity and had good antiwear and friction-reduction beha viour. The XPS analysis of the worn steel surfaces indicated that a boundar y lubricating film consisting of physically adsorbing film (succinimide) an d tribochemically reacting film (lanthanum oxide and ferrous fluoride) was generated during the friction process. This contributed to improving the lu bricating performance of liquid paraffin. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. Al l rights reserved.