Friction and wear behaviour of liquid paraffin containing an S-P type additive and amine

Sulphurised olefin (SO) and dibutyl phosphite (DBF) are two popular antiwear and extreme-pressure additives for gear oils. Investigation of the effects of the weight ratio of SO to DBP in liquid paraffin, and the effects of dodecyl amine, on the friction and antiwear properties of oil, were conducted with a four-ball wear tester. The chemical composition of the film formed was examined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and reflecting infrared spectroscopic (IR) microscopy. The four-ball test results indicate that the weight ratio of SO to DBP affects the friction and wear behaviour of the oil and, with a weight ratio of SO to DBP of 20:1, a stable friction coefficient, and the smallest wear scar, were observed. Wear tests also showed that dodecyl amine improves or reduces the antiwear ability of the oil at certain concentrations. AES profile analyses demonstrate a thick boundary film formed on the rubbed surface with the weight ratio of SO to DBP at 20:1. Both AES and IR results indicate that the addition of dodecyl amine to an S-P type oil results in competitive adsorption, and hinders the reaction of SO and DBF with the steel surfaces.