Friction-induced dynamic chemical changes of tricresyl phosphate as lubricant additive observed under boundary lubrication with 2D fast imaging FTIR-ATR spectrometer

The chemical reaction of tricresyl phosphate (TCP) during friction motion has been investigated by using our newly developed in situ observation system of the two-dimensional fast imaging FTIR-ATR spectrometer combined with the temperature-controlled friction equipment (Sasaki et al. (2008) ). The time-dependent 2D distribution of chemical reaction on the friction surface was obtained for the first time. By using the thus-collected data, the chemical reaction rate was evaluated. The reaction was found to occur only when the friction stress was applied to the lubricant oil TCP.