Mass Balance Of The Tribofilm In Lubricated Systems

The efficiency of the lubrication systems varies during the time of use of each batch of lubricant, increasing wear and friction in the lubricated system. In this work, transient mass balances of the lubricant precursors that form the protective film in lubricated systems, the substances that constitute the deposited film, and the waste products that form when the protective film is removed from the surface are implemented to simulate the dynamic behavior of protective film thickness. These mass balances are supported experimentally with measurements of the rates of growing and removal of the protective film. Simultaneous solution of mass balances and the Archard's wear model allowed to calculate and to profile the wear rate, friction, and efficiency of lubrication system.