Tribochemical transformations of glycerol

Abstract

The friction process is considered in this work from the viewpoint of chemical transformations, which occur in liquid lubricating medium and on the friction surface during the friction interactions. The results of tribotechnical tests of a conventional latten brass–glycerol–steel tribosystem are given and an attempt has been made to rationalize the evolution of tribotechnical characteristics of the tribosystem in the context of tribochemistry. The results of tunneling and IR spectroscopies indicate the formation of complex organic and organometallic films on the friction surface, which differ in chemical composition from the initial lubricating medium, which proves its deep triboconversion upon friction engagement. Chromato-massspectrometry studies of the products of tribotransformations of the lubricating medium enabled its identification. Based on this identification, chemical reactions, and a general scheme according to which tribochemical transformations take place in the lubricating medium have been suggested.