Effect of the structure and metal atom of dialkyldithiophosphate derivatives on the wear behaviour in steel‐zirconia contacts

Wear investigations concerning the different structures and metal atoms of metal dialkyldithiophosphates (MeDTPs) were conducted using a ball‐on‐disc apparatus. Steel ball bearings (3.175 mm in diameter) and counterface discs, made of hot pressed ZrO 2 partially stabilised by Y 2 O 3 , were used. The synthesised MeDTPs were made up of primary linear aliphatic alcohols with hydrocarbon lengths varying from 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and contained the following metals: zinc(II), iron(III), gallium(III), antimony(III), and copper(II). Tests were performed at room temperature. The sliding speed was set to a constant 0.03 m/s, and a constant 30 N load was used. The additives investigated were used as solutions in n‐hexadecane. The study also focused on the influence of additive concentration on wear. It was found that the effectiveness in reducing wear depends both on the metal atom and on the length of the hydrocarbon chain in the additive's molecules. The lowest wear volumes were observed for additives with n‐octyl and n‐tetradecyl hydrocarbon chains. The worst antiwear performance was observed for n‐dodecyl derivatives. For almost all additives, more concentrated solutions resulted in less wear. Some friction coefficient results are also presented.