Friction and wear of tribofilms formed by zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate antiwear additive in low viscosity engine oils

Friction and wear characteristics of low viscosity SAE 5W-20 engine oils containing different amounts of phosphorus were studied using two different test devices. One was a laboratory high frequency reciprocating rig (HFRR) testing new and used oils at low and elevated temperatures. A direct acting mechanical bucket (DAMB) sliding valvetrain bench test apparatus was used to measure the friction and wear performances of fresh engine oils containing 0, 0.05 and 0.1 wt% phosphorus for a cam lobe rubbing against a tappet insert. The tester was coupled with a radioactive tracer machine (RTM). The results show that in the region of low phosphorus concentration, friction is inversely correlated to temperature. The friction coefficient slightly drops with increasing temperature and increases with increased phosphorus concentration at elevated temperatures. Significant wear is produced at phosphorus concentrations lower than 0.02 wt% at most temperatures. Friction and wear are reduced with the addition of supplemental antiwear additives. MoDTC reduces wear more effectively than ZnDTC in the presence of ZDDP.