Thermal and catalytic effects on tribopolymerization as a new boundary lubrication mechanism

New research is being carried out to obtain a better understanding of tribopolymerization, i.e. the intentional formation of polymeric films directly on rubbing surfaces as a potent mechanism of boundary lubrication. The overall goal of this research is to identify and characterize the polymer films formed on tribological surfaces and to examine the importance of thermal and catalytic effects on tribopolymerization. A key part of this study will be the coupling of information obtained from tribological studies — including surface temperature data from an advanced IR microscope system — and the application of new surface analytical techniques, in particular, Fourier transform IR microspectrometry (FTIRM). This paper describes the scope and plan of this research, and presents examples of initial findings.