Abstract
We have studied the friction behavior based on liquid crystal (LC) alignment of a unique tribological system composed of a nematic LC and polyimide (PI). The LC was used as a lubricant and a tribological factor with molecular alignment ability. PI was used as both a rubbing pair part and a LC alignment agent. The LCs used as lubricants included the single LC 5CB and the mixed LCs 5CB–2UTPP3 and 3PEP5–3UTPP4. The PI used as the friction pair was 6FDA-ODA PI, and its counterpart was GCr15 steel. For this system, it was found that under the premise that the nematic phase temperature range of the selected LC meets the operating temperature of the friction test at a suitable ambient temperature, the operating speed and load are controlled to maintain a stable lubricating film thickness between the friction pairs during operation of the system. Moreover, by avoiding excessive or insufficient friction heat generated by the running speed being too high or too low to change the phase state of the LC, with the anchoring energy between the PI and the LC, the LC molecules will align in the rubbing direction, that is, they will arrange parallel to each other along the grooves, which can contribute to achieve superlubricity behavior.
Issue Section:
Lubricants
References
1.
Hirano
, M.
, and Shinjo
, K.
, 1990
, “Atomistic Locking and Friction
,” Phys. Rev. B
, 41
(17
), pp. 11837
–11851
. 2.
Dienwiebel
, M.
, Verhoeven
, G. S.
, Pradeep
, N.
, Frenken
, J. W. N.
, Heimberg
, J. A.
, and Zandbergen
, H. W.
, 2004
, “Superlubricity of Graphite
,” Phys. Rev. Lett.
, 92
(12
), p. 126101
. 3.
Kawai
, S.
, Benassi
, A.
, Gnecco
, E.
, Sode
, E.
, Pawlak
, R.
, Feng
, X.
, Mullen
, K.
, Passerone
, D.
, Pignedoli
, C. A.
, Ruffieux
, P.
, Fasel
, R.
, and Meyer
, E.
, 2016
, “Superlubricity of Graphene Nanoribbons on Gold Surfaces
,” Science
, 351
(6276
), pp. 957
–961
. 4.
Martin
, J. M.
, Donnet
, C.
, Le mogne
, T.
, and Epicier
, T.
, 1993
, “Superlubricity of Molybdenum Disulphide
,” Phys. Rev. B
, 48
(14
), pp. 10583
–10586
. 5.
Berman
, D.
, Deshmukh
, S. A.
, Sankaranarayanan
, S. K. R. S.
, Erdemir
, A.
, and Sumant
, A. V.
, 2015
, “Friction. Macroscale Superlubricity Enabled by Graphene Nanoscroll Formation
,” Science
, 348
(6239
), pp. 1118
–1122
. 6.
Wang
, C. B.
, Yang
, S. R.
, Wang
, Q.
, Wang
, Z.
, and Zhang
, J.
, 2008
, “Super-Low Friction and Super-Elastic Hydrogenated Carbon Films Originated From a Unique Fullerene-Like Nanostructure
,” Nanotechnology
, 19
(22
), p. 225709
. 7.
Liu
, Z.
, Yang
, J.
, Grey
, F.
, Liu
, J. Z.
, Liu
, Y.
, Wang
, Y.
, Yang
, Y.
, Cheng
, Y.
, and Zheng
, Q.
, 2012
, “Observation of Microscale Superlubricity in Graphite
,” Phys. Rev. Lett.
, 108
(20
), p. 205503
. 8.
Yang
, J. R.
, Liu
, Z.
, Grey
, F.
, Xu
, Z.
, Li
, X.
, Liu
, Y.
, Urbakh
, M.
, Cheng
Yao
and Zheng
, Q.
, 2013
, “Observation of High-Speed Microscale Superlubricity in Graphite
,” Phys. Rev. Lett.
, 110
(25
), p. 255504
. 9.
Vu
, C. C.
, Zhang
, S.
, Urbakh
, M.
, Li
, Q.
, He
, Q.-C.
, and Zheng
, Q.
, 2016
, “Observation of Normal-Force-Independent Superlubricity in Mesoscopic Graphite Contacts
,” Phys. Rev. B
, 94
(8
), p. 081405
. 10.
Deng
, H.
, Ma
, M.
, Song
, Y.
, He
, Q.
, and Zheng
, Q.
, 2018
, “Structural Superlubricity in Graphite Flakes Assembled Under Ambient Conditions
,” Nanoscale
, 10
(29
), pp. 14314
–14320
. 11.
Ge
, X. Y.
, Li
, J. J.
, and Luo
, J. B.
, 2019
, “Macroscale Superlubricity Achieved With Various Liquid Molecules: A Review
,” Front. Mech. Eng.
, 5
(2
), pp. 1
–15
. 12.
Liu
, P. X.
, Liu
, Y. H.
, Yang
, Y.
, Chen
, Z.
, Li
, J. J.
, and Luo
, J. B.
, 2014
, “Mechanism of Biological Liquid Superlubricity of Brasenia schreberi Mucilage
,” Langmuir
, 30
(13
), pp. 3811
–3816
. 13.
Li
, J. J.
, Liu
, Y. H.
, Luo
, J. B.
, Liu
, P. X.
, and Zhang
, C. H.
, 2012
, “Excellent Lubricating Behavior of Brasenia schreberi Mucilage
,” Langmuir
, 28
(20
), pp. 7797
–7802
. 14.
Li
, J. J.
, Zhang
, C. H.
, and Luo
, J. B.
, 2011
, “Superlubricity Behavior With Phosphoric Acid–Water Network Induced by Rubbing
,” Langmuir
, 27
(15
), pp. 9413
–9417
. 15.
Li
, J. J.
, Zhang
, C. H.
, Ma
, L. R.
, Liu
, Y. H.
, and Luo
, J. B.
, 2012
, “Superlubricity Achieved With Mixtures of Acids and Glycerol
,” Langmuir
, 29
(1
), pp. 271
–275
. 16.
Li
, J.
, Gao
, T.
, and Luo
, J.
, 2018
, “Superlubricity of Graphite Induced by Multiple Transferred Graphene Nanoflakes
,” Adv. Sci.
, 5
(3
), p. 1700616
. 17.
Li
, J. J.
, Ma
, L. R.
, Zhang
, S. H.
, Zhang
, C. H.
, Liu
, Y. H.
, and Luo
, J. B.
, 2013
, “Investigations on the Mechanism of Superlubricity Achieved With Phosphoric Acid Solution by Direct Observation
,” J. Appl. Phys.
, 114
(11
), p. 114901
. 18.
Li
, J. J.
, Zhang
, C. H.
, Deng
, M. M.
, and Luo
, J. B.
, 2015
, “Investigation of the Difference in Liquid Superlubricity Between Water- and Oil-Based Lubricants
,” RSC Adv.
, 5
(78
), pp. 63827
–63833
. 19.
Sheng
, L. P.
, Li
, F. F.
, and Fan
, C. K.
, 2009
, “Research Progress of New Lubricating Technology
,” Lubr. Oil
, 24
(1
), pp. 11
–15+53
.20.
Zhai
, J.
, Lu
, S. F.
, Wang
, L. Y.
, and Wen
, S. Z.
, 1989
, “The Investigation of Lubrication Performance for Liquid Crystal Additive
,” Lubr. Eng.
, 14
(5
), pp. 9
–150
.21.
Zhang
, Y.
, Wu
, J.
, Wang
, Y. M.
, and Hu
, J. Q.
, 2007
, “Advance of Liquid Crystal Lubrication Additives
,” Chem. Intermed.
, 7
, pp. 24
–28
.22.
Kumar
, S.
, 2005
, “Self-Organization of Disc-Like Molecules: Chemical Aspects
,” ChemInform
, 35
(1
), pp. 83
–109
.23.
Ros
, M. B.
, Serrano
, J. L.
, de la Fuente
, M. R..
, and Folcia
, C. L.
, 2005
, “Banana-Shaped Liquid Crystals: A New Field to Explore
,” J. Mater. Chem.
, 15
(48
), pp. 5093
–5098
. 24.
Carrión
, F. J.
, Martínez-Nicolás
, G.
, Iglesias
, P.
, Sanes
, J.
, and Bermúdez
, M. D.
, 2009
, “Liquid Crystals in Tribology
,” Int. J. Mol. Sci.
, 10
(9
), pp. 4102
–4115
. 25.
Gao
, Y.
, Ma
, L. R.
, and Luo
, J. B.
, 2016
, “Friction Anisotropy Induced by Oriented Liquid Crystal Molecules
,” Tribol. Lett.
, 61
(3
), pp. 124
–130
. 26.
Gao
, Y.
, Xue
, B
, Ma
, L.
, and Luo
, J.
, 2017
, “Effect of Liquid Crystal Molecular Orientation Controlled by an Electric Field on Friction
,” Tribol. Int.
, 115
, pp. 477
–482
. 27.
Iglesias
, P.
, Bermúdez
, M. D.
, Carrión
, F. J.
, and Martínez-Nicolás
, G.
, 2004
, “Friction and Wear of Aluminium-Steel Contacts Lubricated With Ordered Fluids-Neutral and Ionic Liquid Crystals as Oil Additives
,” Wear
, 256
(3
), pp. 386
–392
. 28.
Mori
, S.
, and Iwata
, H.
, 1996
, “Relationship Between Tribological Performance of Liquid Crystals and Their Molecular Structure
,” Tribol. Int.
, 29
(1
), pp. 35
–39
. 29.
Chen
, H.
, Xu
, C.
, Xiao
, G. C.
, Chen
, Z.
, Yi
, M.
, and Zhang
, J.
, 2019
, “Effect of Running-in Induced Groove-Structured Wear and Fe(Acac)3 on Ultralow Friction When Lubricating With 5CB Liquid Crystal
,” Tribol. Lett.
, 67
(43
), pp. 1
–8
. 30.
Fang
, Y. P.
, Zhang
, Q.
, and Wang
, Y. H.
, 2009
, “Effects of Variety of Liquid Crystals and Process Conditions on Pretilt Angle
,” Polym. Mater. Sci. Eng.
, 25
(11
), pp. 69
–71
.31.
Ito
, T.
, Nakanishi
, K.
, Nishikawa
, M.
, Yokoyama
, Y.
, and Takeuchi
, Y.
, 1995
, “Regularity and Narrowness of the Intervals of the Microgrooves on the Rubbed Polymer Surface for Liquid Crystal Alignment
,” Polym. J.
, 27
(3
), pp. 240
–246
. 32.
Fu
, X. F.
, 2006
, “Study on Pretilt Tangle Induced by Polyimide Alignment Films With Side Chain Containing Biphenyl Unit
,” Master dissertation
, Sichuan University
, Sichuan, China
.33.
Shao
, X.
, Kai
, M.
, Ma
, R.
, and Huang
, X.
, 1994
, “Mechanism of Polymer Alignment of Liquid Crystal Materials
,” Chin. Lett. Liq. Cryst.
, 2
(2
), pp. 134
–137
.34.
Geary
, J. M.
, Goodby
, J. W.
, Kmetz
, A. R.
, and Patel
, J. S.
, 1987
, “The Mechanism of Polymer Alignment of Liquid Crystal Materials
,” J. Appl. Phys.
, 62
(10
), pp. 4100
–4107
. 35.
Kizilkaya
, C.
, Mülazim
, Y.
, Kahraman
, M. V.
, Apohan
, N. K.
, and Güngör
, A.
, 2012
, “Synthesis and Characterization of Polyimide/Hexagonal Boron Nitride Composite
,” J. Appl. Polym. Sci.
, 124
(1
), pp. 706
–712
. 36.
Tian
, J. S.
, Wang
, H. Y.
, Huang
, Z. Y.
, Lu
, R. G.
, Cong
, P. H.
, Liu
, X. J.
, and Li
, T. S.
, 2010
, “Investigation on Tribological Properties of Fluorinated Polyimide
,” J. Macromol. Sci. Part B
, 49
(4
), pp. 791
–801
. 37.
Xin
, Y.
, Li
, T.
, Xu
, F.
, and Wang
, M.
, 2017
, “Multidimensional Structure and Enhancement Performance of Modified Graphene/Carbon Nanotube Assemblies in Tribological Properties of Polyimide Nanocomposites
,” RSC Adv.
, 7
(34
), pp. 20742
–20753
. 38.
Zhu
, L.
, You
, L.
, Shi
, Z.
, Song
, H.
, and Li
, S.
, 2017
, “An Investigation on the Graphitic Carbon Nitride Reinforced Polyimide Composite and Evaluation of Its Tribological Properties
,” J. Appl. Polym. Sci.
, 134
(41
), p. 45403
. 39.
Lv
, M.
, Han
, F.
, Wang
, Q. H.
, Wang
, T. M.
, and Liang
, Y. M.
, 2017
, “The Structure Properties and Tribological Behavior of the Ionic Liquid-Polyimide Composite Films Under High-Vacuum Environment
,” High Perform. Polym.
, 29
(2
), pp. 170
–177
. Copyright © 2021 by ASME
You do not currently have access to this content.
