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Virginia Tech

Tribopolymerization: ceramic lubrication under high loads and high speeds

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

An experimental study of ceramic lubrication by tribopolymerization at high loads and high speeds is presented. One condensation monomer -- C₃₆ dimer acid/ethylene glycol monoester -- and five addition monomers, i.e., diallyl phthalate, lauryl methacrylate, vinyl acetate, methyl-2-acrylamido-2-methoxy acetate, and vinyl octadecyl ether, were used at 1 wt. % concentrations in hexadecane with alumina on alumina pin-on-disk testing. A two by two matrix of load and speed conditions was used to determine the effects of load and speed on wear reduction. At low speeds, the monomers showed significant wear reductions, from 37 percent up to 98 percent, compared to pure hexadecane lubrication. Changes in load at low speed had mixed effects dependent on the monomer. At high speeds, the monomers did not decrease wear; in some cases wear increased. ESEM surface studies show a relationship between the anti-wear effectiveness and the consistency of a formed wear debris layer on the alumina surface. The surface films of wear debris and the formed polymeric products may reduce wear by providing protection to the sliding surfaces. Proposed wear mechanisms and a discussion of possible speed-wear interactions are presented with recommendations for continued tribological testing.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Mechanical Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Mechanical Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1995

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Tritt, Benjamin R.

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-01102009-063128
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/40550

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Tritt, Benjamin R.. Tribopolymerization: ceramic lubrication under high loads and high speeds. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/40550