Elastohydrodynamic lubrication behaviors and mechanisms of gallium-based liquid metal/polydimethylsiloxane composite lubricant.

Gallium-based liquid metal (GLM) has excellent extreme-pressure properties, but at low sliding speeds, it is typically in a boundary or mixed lubrication, causing poorer properties compared to traditional lubricants. In this paper, GLM/P composite lubricants composed of GLM particles and polydimethylsiloxane are prepared. Under a maximum-Hertz-stress of 0.69 GPa, GLM/P2–30% (viscosity of 1260 mPa∙s) can enter the elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) regime at 0.2 m/s, has good EHL properties (friction coefficient of 0.06, wear rate in the order of 10−9 mm3/N·m). Meanwhile, it has high extreme-pressure properties (P B of 2300 N). The EHL film is formed mainly by polydimethylsiloxane, while GLM particles increase the thermal conductivity of lubricant and can be adsorbed on the frictional interfaces, thereby improving the EHL properties. [Display omitted] • GLM/P composite lubricant can enter the elastohydrodynamic lubrication regime under conventional load and low sliding speed. • Lubrication regimes and transition laws of GLM/P are determined by combining Stribeck curve with lubrication film thickness. • The lubrication mechanisms of GLM/P in elastohydrodynamic lubrication regime are revealed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]