Mechanism of lubrication by tricresylphosphate (TCP)

The coefficient of friction was measured as a function of temperature on a pin-on-disk tribometer. Pins and disks of 440C and 52100 steels were lubricated with tricresylphosphate (TCP), 3.45 percent TCP in squalene, and pure squalene. The M-50 pins and disks were lubricated with 3.45 percent TCP in squalene and pure squalene. Experiments were conducted under limited lubrication conditions in dry ( 100 ppm H2O) air and dry ( pp H2O) nitrogen at 50 rpm (equivalent to a sliding velocity of 13 cm sec) and a constant load of 9.8 N (1 kg). Characteristic temperatures T sub r were identified for TCP on 52100 steel and for squalene on M-50 and 52100 steels, where the friction decreased because of a chemical reaction between the lubricant and the metal surface. The behavior of squalene obscured the influence of 3.45 percent TCP solute on the friction of the system. Wear volume measurements demonstrated that wear was lowest at temperatures just above T sub r. Comparing the behavior of TCP on M-50, 440C, and 52100 steels revealed that the TCP either reacted to give T sub r behavior or produced initial failure in the temperature range 223 + or - 5 C.