Theory 26/Tribochemistry
Tribofilms Form on a Temperature Ratio
The claim
Anti-wear tribofilm formation requires the contact flash temperature to exceed a fraction of the additive's decomposition temperature, so load and speed act only through that ratio.
01The mechanism
The additive must decompose at the contact to form the film; decomposition depends on temperature, which is generated by friction and removed by conduction.
02Predictions
- P1Film formation should track the ratio.
- P2Load alone should mispredict across speeds.
03Refutation
Film formation tracking load would remove the temperature ratio.