Auger analysis of oxygen and sulfur interactions with various metals and the effect of sliding on these interactions

Various gases were adsorbed to copper, aluminum, and chromium surfaces. The gases included oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and sulfur dioxide. Chemisorption was conducted on static surfaces and during dynamic friction experiments. An Auger cyclindrical mirror analyzer was used to monitor surface films. The sulfur containing gases adsorbed readily to all surfaces. Exposures of as little as 0.000001 (torr)(sec) (1 langmuir) were sufficient to reduce friction. Sliding contact did not affect chemisorption of copper or aluminum but did affect chemisorption to chromium surfaces. Oxygen removed sulfur films from all surfaces at room temperature (23 C). Gaseous exposures were from 0.000001 to 0.01 (torr)(sec) (1 to 10,000 langmuirs).