Improving tribological performance of electrified steel interfaces in e-mobility systems using ash-sulfur-less oil additives based on amine salts-phosphoric esters

Abstract

This study introduces the formulation of an ash-sulfur-less lubricant that is designed to form an antiwear/insulating tribolayer on electrified steel surfaces. The proposed oil formulation utilizes amine salts of aliphatic phosphoric acid esters (AW-6110) in poly-α-olefin (PAO6) oil. The study aims to find a solution to address tribological issues resulting from electrification effects and the presence of sulfur in e-mobility oils. An SRV-IV tribometer evaluated the tribological performance under various conditions. Notably, the AW-6110-formulated oil (1.5-AW oil) exhibited superior performance under 9 A current, reducing the friction coefficient by 18 % and the disc wear volume by 90 % compared to the commercial oil used in electric vehicles. This enhancement is attributed to its exceptional ability to form a durable antiwear/insulating tribolayer.