Wear Reduction of Borosilicate Glass Microballs Using Vapor-Phase Lubrication With n-Pentanol

ABSTRACT: The effect of n-pentanol vapor-phase lubrication on the wear mechanism of borosilicate glass was investigated. Glass microballs with a diameter of ∼60 μm were slid against a silicon wafer under a normal load of 100 μN up to a sliding distance of ∼210 km. It was shown that wear volume of the microball could be reduced by ∼18 times using n-pentanol vapor-phase lubrication. The wear mechanism was assessed using 3D laser microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Abrasion was identified as the main mechanism of wear for the borosilicate glass under n-pentanol vapor-phase lubrication condition. In addition, despite the fact that lubrication was supplied to the sliding interface as a vapor, it was sufficient to prevent agglomeration of wear debris, which aided in decreasing abrasion.