Effect of C60 fullerene, fullerene-containing soot, and other carbon materials on the sliding edge friction of metals

A comparative study of different carbon materials (C₆₀ fullerene; soot, both with and without fullerenes; graphite; and industrial carbon black) as additives to industrial lubricating oils has been carried out for copper-steel and steel-steel sliding couples. The soot containing fullerene and the powder of pure fullerene produce a noticeable improvement in the antifriction and antiwear properties of steel-steel and steel-copper couples, especially under heavy loads and pressures at the contact. The greatest improvement was observed for the steel-steel couple. Structural-mechanical studies were carried out for copper riders and it has been demonstrated by several methods that the addition of the C₆₀ fullerene (pure fullerene or as a fullerene-containingsoot) creates a fullerene-polymer film on the frictional surface about 1000 Å thick, which has a protective effect.