Friction Reduction Effect by the Combination Use of MoDTC and Organic Friction Modifiers

by Yuto Sasaki

To understand the relationship between morphological change and lubrication properties of sliding surface in lubricant with additives, the nanoscale friction force and surface profile before and after friction process were measured by AFM using a colloidal probe. Copper was used as a target substrate, and PAO2 and oleylamine were selected as the models of base oil and organic friction modifier (OFM), respectively. As the test procedure, the friction process under 210 MPa was given on the target surface for 1 hour (called as ‘pre-friction process’), and the coefficient of friction was measured in the pre-frictioned area. As the test results, when the oil with MoDTC was used, hard and thick layer over 10 nm-height was formed in the pre-frictioned area. When the oil with MoDTC and OFM, the similar layer was also formed, but the layer thickness was smaller, about 2 nm-height, and the top profile of layer was smooth. The coefficient of friction was the smallest when the MoDTC and OFM were used together even though the production of MoS2 was inhibited due to the existence of OFM molecules in oil. It was found that when MoDTC and OFM were used in combination, it was confirmed that the coefficient of friction was reduced especially under low-pressure conditions than when MoDTC was used alone, but the reduction effect was found to be different depending on the type of OFM.