An investigation on the tribological behaviors of steel/copper and steel/steel friction pairs via lubrication with a graphene additive

• DOI: 10.1007/s40544-019-0327-x
• Publication Date: 2020-01-18T03:02:42Z
• Authors: Junyuan Mao; Guangyan Chen; Jun Zhao; Yongyong He; Jianbin Luo
• Keywords: tribological behaviors; transfer film; TJ1-1570; steel/copper and steel/steel friction pairs; Mechanical engineering and machinery; 02 engineering and technology; graphene additives; 0210 nano-technology

AbstractIn this study, the tribological behaviors of graphene as a lubricant additive for steel/copper and steel/steel friction pairs were compared. For the steel/copper friction pair, the graphene sheets remarkably decreased the coefficient of friction and wear scar depth under low loads, but these slightly increased under high loads. The steel/steel friction pair showed excellent tribological properties even under high loads. Severe plastic deformation on the copper surface reduced the stability of the graphene tribofilm because of a rough copper transfer film on the steel during the running-in period. The results provide a better understanding of the mechanism of graphene as a lubricant additive.