Friction behavior of ferritic stainless steel in a strongly diluted alcohol solution of alkylphosphonic acid

• Published in: Tribology international 2018-02, Vol.118, p.465-473
• Main Authors: Roizard, X., Heinrichs, J., Buteri, A., Jacobson, S., Borgeot, M., Carpentier, L., Melot, J.M., Lallemand, F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acids; Alcohol; Chemical Sciences; Coefficient of friction; Contact pressure; Dilution; Experiments; Ferritic stainless steels; Forming; Friction; Low friction; Lubrication; Mechanics; Molecules; Phosphonic acids; Physics; Stainless steel; Substrates; Tribology; Ultrasonic testing
• ISSN: 0301-679X; 1879-2464; 1879-2464
• DOI: 10.1016/j.triboint.2017.04.027

The present study investigates the potential for using this more environmentally friendly lubrication at an industrial scale forming of stainless steel. Against this background we analyze the characteristics of the tribofilm formed on a stainless steel surface during sliding experiments performed in solutions containing alkylphosphonic acids, under various contact conditions. Specific tribological tests were designed to analyze the dynamics of the lubricating mechanism. It was found that both the grafting of molecules and the transformation of these into an efficient tribofilm are quick processes, irrespective of substrate roughness or contact pressure, systematically leading to low friction coefficient. •Alkylphosphonic acid molecules in an alcohol solution strongly reduced the friction.•A low-friction tribofilm was created during the first contact shearing. Tribofilm is the result of compacting molecules in every grooves.•The holding time after introducing the molecules into the solvent was varied between 1 and 120min.•The valleys of roughness are needed for the tribofilm establishment.•This lubrication reduces the environmental impact in stainless steel stamping.