New Experiment System for Sliding Tests in Hydrogen and Surface Analysis with Transfer Vessel

A new tribo experiment system is developed for sliding tests under high purity gas environments including hydrogen. It uses a transfer vessel such that surface oxidation does not substantially occur during transfer of specimens to surface analyzers. The system’s seal ability is confirmed with surface analysis with XPS and sliding tests with stainless steel. It is found that oxidation as well as adsorption of hydrocarbons as contaminants on steel surfaces during transfer is prevented. In the sliding test, differences in oxide formation on steel surfaces in hydrogen, in vacuum and in air are detected clearly.