TRIBOCHEMICAL ACTIVITY OF NASCENT METAL SURFACES

Chemical nature of nascent metal surfaces which is one of the important active sources for tribochemical reactions was investigated using a newly developed method. Some enhanced activities were observed. For example, organic compounds chemisorbed on nascent gold surfaces and aromatic compounds decomposed on nascent nickel surfaces resulting in hydrogen evolution. Non-polar compounds such as organic sulfides had a higher chemisorption activity on nascent steel surfaces than polar compounds such as fatty acids and phosphates. Organic sulfides reacted directly with nascent steel surfaces and the surface was covered with metal sulfides. The activity for the chemisorption of organic compounds was closely dependent on the electronic structure of metals. Although benzene chemisorbed very easily on nascent surfaces of transition metals, it did not chemisorb ell nascent surfaces of simple metals. Boundary lubricating behaviors of extreme pressure additives were explained on the bases of the chemical activities of nascent surfaces obtained in this investigation. Under mild conditions, polar compounds such as fatty acids and phosphates were effective for boundary lubrication, because surfaces are covered with oxide layers. On the other hand, sulfides were more effective under severe conditions where the oxide layers were removed and the nascent surfaces were formed.