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Humidity-dependent lubrication of highly loaded contacts by graphite and a structural transition to turbostratic carbon

Author

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  • Carina Elisabeth Morstein

    (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), IAM - Institute for Applied Materials
    Fraunhofer-Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM, MicroTribology Center μTC)

  • Andreas Klemenz

    (Fraunhofer-Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM, MicroTribology Center μTC)

  • Martin Dienwiebel

    (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), IAM - Institute for Applied Materials
    Fraunhofer-Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM, MicroTribology Center μTC)

  • Michael Moseler

    (Fraunhofer-Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM, MicroTribology Center μTC
    University of Freiburg
    University of Freiburg
    University of Freiburg)

Abstract

Graphite represents a promising material for solid lubrication of highly loaded tribological contacts under extreme environmental conditions. At low loads, graphite’s lubricity depends on humidity. The adsorption model explains this by molecular water films on graphite leading to defect passivation and easy sliding of counter bodies. To explore the humidity dependence and validate the adsorption model for high loads, a commercial graphite solid lubricant is studied using microtribometry. Even at 1 GPa contact pressure, a high and low friction regime is observed - depending on humidity. Transmission electron microscopy reveals transformation of the polycrystalline graphite lubricant into turbostratic carbon after high and even after low load (50 MPa) sliding. Quantum molecular dynamics simulations relate high friction and wear to cold welding and shear-induced formation of turbostratic carbon, while low friction originates in molecular water films on surfaces. In this work, a generalized adsorption model including turbostratic carbon formation is suggested.

Suggested Citation

  • Carina Elisabeth Morstein & Andreas Klemenz & Martin Dienwiebel & Michael Moseler, 2022. "Humidity-dependent lubrication of highly loaded contacts by graphite and a structural transition to turbostratic carbon," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-33481-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33481-9
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    1. Valentin R. Salinas Ruiz & Takuya Kuwahara & Jules Galipaud & Karine Masenelli-Varlot & Mohamed Ben Hassine & Christophe Héau & Melissa Stoll & Leonhard Mayrhofer & Gianpietro Moras & Jean Michel Mart, 2021. "Interplay of mechanics and chemistry governs wear of diamond-like carbon coatings interacting with ZDDP-additivated lubricants," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. F. Bonelli & N. Manini & E. Cadelano & L. Colombo, 2009. "Atomistic simulations of the sliding friction of graphene flakes," The European Physical Journal B: Condensed Matter and Complex Systems, Springer;EDP Sciences, vol. 70(4), pages 449-459, August.
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