Surface potential effects on friction and abrasion of sliding contacts lubricated by aqueous solutions

This study has investigated the relationship between applied interfacial electrical potentials and friction and abrasion for steel/steel contacts in alkaline aqueous-based solutions. The potential at a steel-aqueous lubricated surface is important since it determines a number of important surface properties which influence the overall friction and resistance to abrasion. The experimental approach used a pin-on-disc rig incorporating potentiostatic control of the disc between −1.0 and +1.0 V overpotential.