Interaction Mechanisms between Schungite and Friction Surfaces under High-Energy Ball Milling

Abstract

An effect of schungite exerted on the degradation of surfaces in the processes of friction and wear is studied. The process is simulated via processing a mixture schungite and iron powders using a high-energy ball mill. Changes in the morphology and structural and phase composition of the milled mixture, as well as in the surface of the grinding balls, are investigated. It is shown that the positive effect of schungite addition to lubricating substances is mainly caused by improvement of the surface quality (roughness reduction) of the contacting bodies after mechanical treatment.