IMPROVEMENT FOR TRIBOLOGICAL AND HYDROGEN BARRIER PROPERTIES OF POLY OLEFINE BY THE ADDITION OF LECITHIN-MODIFIED CLAY

Abstract

Tribological properties of a base oil (poly alpha olefine with 20 wt% deuterated n-hexadecane) were evaluated with a ball-on-flat type tribotest. The addition effect of a lecithin-modified clay to the base oil was studied. The presence of deuterium species inside the steel disk after friction tests was investigated by a TOF-SIMS analysis. Deuterium species were observed inside the steel disk with 60 nm depth after friction with the base oil for 60 min. On the other hand, deuterium species were not observed inside the steel disk with 20 nm depth after friction with the oil containing 12 wt% of the lecithin-modified clay. The lecithin-modified clay could be used as a valuable additive for lubricants with hydrogen barrier properties.