Investigations of hydrocarbon-free oil components as challenging fillers to lubricating materials

Resumo

The paper treats the results of investigating asphaltenes, which present natural nanometer formations obtained by oil genesis. The use of asphaltenes as a filler for lubricating oils has been substantiated. Tribological properties of asphaltene fillers, the morphology of surface films and their chemical composition have been discussed and an attempt has been made to explain the mechanism of the friction surface cladding by the asphaltene structures. It has been proved that asphaltenes display satisfactory tribological and technical properties for their application in low-speed heavy-loaded friction joints.