This paper presents a unique tribological system that is able to produce no measurable wear of material combination and that reduces friction markedly in the ultralow regime under boundary lubrication. Ultralow friction (0.03) was obtained by sliding hydrogen-free Diamond-Like-Carbon ta-C against ta-C lubricated with Poly-alpha Olefin base oil containing Glycerol Mono-Oleate (GMO) additive. The origin of ultralow friction in these conditions has been investigated by surface analysis techniques. Results are in agreement with the formation of a OH-terminated carbon surface. This new surface chemistry might be formed by the tribochemical reaction of alcohol function groups with the friction-activated ta-C atoms. The origin of low friction could be due to the very low-energy interaction between OH-terminated surfaces.

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This paper presents a material combination that reduces the friction coefficient markedly to a super low friction regime (below 0.01) under boundary lubrication. Friction tests were conducted with a test rig consisting of three pins pressed against a rotating disc, as shown in Fig. 1. The pins were made of bearing steel AISI52100 and the disc was made of carburized steel SCM415, which was coated with a diamond-like-carbon (DLC) film. The test conditions were as follows. Pins: Fixed, not rotating; DLC: CVD a-C:H, PVD ta-C; Lubricant: 5W-30 API SG Engine oil; Ester-containing oil (PAOES1): Poly alpha-Olefin containing 1 mass% of glycerol mono-oleate; Pressure: 0.7 Gpa; Sliding speed: 0.03–1m/s; Oil temperature: 353K (80 deg. Celsius).

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