Effect of chemical structure of borates on the tribological characteristics of magnesium alloy during sliding

Effects of four borates with different chemical structure on the tribological properties of magnesium alloy in sliding contact with bearing steel were investigated under boundary lubrication using a Timken type tester. It was shown that the borate without active element is not effective at reducing the friction and wear of magnesium alloy, and the borates containing nitrogen, sulfur and chlorine are effective at improving the tribological properties of magnesium alloy. Different active elements have different action characteristics at improving the tribological properties of magnesium alloy. The rubbed surfaces were investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), the wear mechanisms were also proposed.