Lubrication Film Wear Through the Microscope

Lubrication Film Wear and Tire Wear

This particle is from a blower housing in a automobile parking facility. The gray elongated cylander in the center of the field is the lube wear with a small collection of darker tire wear particles mixed in. That suggests that this lube wear is from the V-Belt drive wheel of the blower. This lube wear particle would be considered black if it were not with the darker tire wear.

Transmitted Off Crossed Circular Polarized Light and Reflected Darkfield Illumination

Definition/Function:

These particles are an example of lubrication film wear. These include roller bearings, drive belt wheels, file cabinet drawers, desk drawers, and even overhead cranes. They are formed by the slight slippage that occurs during motion and the hydrocarbon film that develops on the metal runner over time. These particles are typically black, with an organic matrix and significant numbers of very small metal wear particles.

Lubrication Film Wear and Tire Wear

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