Oxygen and sulfur interactions with a clean iron surface and the effect of rubbing contact on these interactions

The interaction of sulfur and oxygen with an iron surface was studied with Auger spectroscopy analysis both statically and during sliding-friction experiments in a vacuum environment. Oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and sulfur dioxide were adsorbed to an iron surface. Results indicate that sulfide films formed on clean iron surfaces are completely displaced by oxygen. Hydrocarbons containing sulfur, such as methyl mercaptan, adsorb dissociatively. Less sulfur is adsorbed during sliding with hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan than in the absence of sliding. With both oxygen and sulfur dioxide, sliding did not affect the amount of material adsorbed to iron.