In Situ Raman-SLIM Monitoring for the Formation Processes of MoDTC and ZDDP Tribofilms at Steel/Steel Contacts under Boundary Lubrication

In this study, the formation processes of molybdenum dithiocarbamate (MoDTC) and zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) tribofilms were investigated using an in situ Raman-space layer imaging method (SLIM) tribometer under boundary lubrication. According to the results, the ratio of the POx and the P-O-P bonds in the tribofilms was almost the same as the film thickness behavior calculated from the SLIM images. Hence, the time-dependence chemical composition change of the tribofilms of phosphate related bonds in the tribofilms is considered a factor in the growth of ZDDP tribofilms. Moreover, the presence of MoDTC in the ZDDP solution contributed to the formation of phosphate compounds with a relatively high ratio of P-O-P links, such as ultra-phosphate glasses. This mechanism is attributable to the friction-reduction effects of MoS2 on the tribofilm, which can contribute to maintaining a suitable condition for the formation of relatively high P-O-P-link-ratio tribofilms.