Simulation of the oil film thickness on a friction surface in the presence of fullerene compositions in the lubricant

Abstract

The paper contains theoretical studies of the oil film formation on a friction surface in the presence of fullerene solutions in a lubricant. The mathematical model is developed on the basis of the interaction between electrically active heterogeneous finely dispersed systems at the interface between the friction surface and the lubricating medium and is described by the Poisson differential equation. The role of the friction surface on the formation of clusters and micelles in an adsorbed film of the lubricant near the friction surface is established. It is shown that in the stress-strain state of triboelement material surface layers, the friction surface acts as an “electrostatic field generator”. Expressions are obtained for the simulation of the oil film thickness in the presence of fullerenes in the base lubricant. Based on the simulation results, the most significant factors in the formation of the oil film thickness have been established: these are the electric field strengths of the friction surface and the base lubricating medium; the load on the tribosystem; the temperature, and dynamic viscosity of the lubricating medium.