94 Materials and Surface Engineering in Tribology
oils as environmental standards become stricter and as costs of petroleum-based
products increase, particularly considering the opportunities to cultivate fallow land.
2.7.1.4.4. Additives
Lubrication oils are systematically used together with a range of additives which
improve their rheological and chemical properties. These are grouped in two classes:
–
additives acting on the properties of the lubricant such as anti-foaming,
antioxidant agents and viscosity index improvers; and
–
additives interacting with the opposing surface to form a protective film (i.e.
anti-wear and extreme-pressure additives, corrosion inhibitors, detergents and
dispersing agents).
2.7.1.5. Greases
Greases consist of basic mineral or synthetic oil that is mixed with a thickener
containing an alkaline or alkaline earth element such as lithium, calcium, potassium,
sodium or barium. The properties of a type of grease and its performance at high
temperature greatly depend on the nature of its constituents. In contrast to oils,
greases are advantageous in that they do not flow and remain in the contact areas
during friction.
2.7.1.6. Anti-friction materials
Anti-friction materials are used in those cases where oils or greases are
unsuitable. They must meet three essential requirements:
–
be soft and easy to shear;
–
be perfectly adherent to the surfaces of the materials to be protected; and
–
be stable and impervious to chemical or structural changes in the course of
their application.
These materials can be divided into four main categories:
–
lamellar solids;
–
sliding varnishes;
–
soft metals; and
–
fluorides, sulfides and oxides.
2.7.1.6.1. Lamellar solids
Graphite and molybdenum disulfide (MoS
2
) are the two most widely used. They
are characterized by a structure of fine layers known as a lamellar structure (see Figures
2.37 and 2.38). This results from the stacking of atomic planes that are loosely bound by
weak bonds. During friction, when shearing occurs parallel to these planes, they slide