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Interfacial chemistry of a perfluoropolyether lubricant studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and temperature desorption spectroscopyThe interfacial chemistry of Fomblin Z25, a commercial perfluoropolyether used as lubricant for space applications was studied with different metallic surfaces: 440C steel, gold, and aluminum. Thin layers of Fomblin Z25 were evaporated onto the oxide-free substrates, and the interfacial chemistry was studied using XPS and TDS. The reactions were induced by heating the substrate and by rubbing the substrate with a steel ball. Gold was found to be completely unreactive towards Fomblin at any temperature. Reaction at room temperature was observed only in the case of the aluminum substrate, the most reactive towards Fomblin Z25 of the substrates studied. It was necessary to heat the 440C steel substrate to 190 C to induce decomposition of the fluid. The degradation of the fluid was indicated by the formation of a debris layer at the interface. This debris layer, composed of inorganic and organic reaction products, when completely formed, passivated the surface from further attack to the Fromblin on top. The tribologically induced reactions on 440C steel formed a debris layer of similar chemical characteristics to the thermally induced layer. In all cases, the degradation reaction resulted in preferential consumption of the difluoroformyl carbon (-OCF2O-).
Document ID
19930054476
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Herrera-Fierro, Pilar
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Jones, William R., Jr.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Pepper, Stephen V.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A
Volume: 11
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0734-2101
Subject Category
Nonmetallic Materials
Accession Number
93A38473
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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