The influence of tribochemical reactions of antiwear additives on heterogeneous surface layers in boundary lubrication

The article discusses methods for the deposition of antiwear, composite coatings with a metallic matrix. The Ni–P–Al2O3 composite layers were superimposed on carbon steel elements using the electroless plating technique. A comparative analysis of adsorptive interactions was carried out for model systems with antiwear characteristics, i.e., for the Ni–P matrix, and the composite material containing micro-dispersive corundum, i.e., Ni–P–Al2O3. The paper presents the results of tribological tests and analyses the effects of tribochemical interactions in the macroscale (using in a pin-on-disc system device) and in the micro/nanoscale—performed with the use of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).