IN LUBRO STUDIES OF LUBRICANTS IN EHD CONTACTS USING FTIR ABSORPTION-SPECTROSCOPY

Research into the physical and chemical processes occurring within lubricated concentrated contacts has traditionally been limited by the necessity to observe events out-of-contact, or under simulated conditions. This paper describes the application of a new technique involving infrared microreflection absorption spectroscopy. The method is applied to the direct determination of the conditions of pressure experienced by lubricants in contacts, to the formation of antiwear films by phosphorus additives and to the study of the alignment of molecules, including viscosity index improvers in contacts.