Effects of Residual Gas on Tribochemical Reactions of SUJ2 Steel in Vacuum and in Argon Gas Atmosphere

Abstract

To analyze the mechanisms of tribochemical reactions occurring between atmospheric gases and materials induced by friction, the authors have developed a friction test system with integrated XPS. The system can analyze worn surfaces in various environments using XPS without air exposure. The results of friction tests in vacuum showed that the native oxide film that formed on the bare surface was worn by friction in vacuum. The results of the friction tests in an Ar gas atmosphere also showed the same results as the friction tests in vacuum. However, it has been suggested that some tribochemical reactions with trace amounts of residual gas occur during friction tests in an Ar gas atmosphere. The results of the friction tests and XPS analyses indicated that our friction test system with integrated XPS was useful for analyzing tribochemical reactions between atmospheric gases and materials.