Mechanism of Carbonaceous Deposit Formation Caused by Lubricating Oil on High Temperature Metal Surfaces

Abstract

While formation of deposits in machinery used under high temperature conditions is inevitable, it needs to be minimized as much as possible. Desorption of deposits, though rarely reported, also needs to be addressed, as it could cause secondary damage. There have been a number of reports on the formation of high-temperature deposits and the effects of additives, none of which, however, addresses the desorption phenomenon as part of the deposit formation mechanism. Paying attention to the polar properties of lubricating oils and evaluating the formation, dissolution, and desorption of deposits by lubricating oils, the formation mechanism of high-temperature deposits was considered. Taking notice also of the changes in polar characteristics of oils with the progress of oxidative degradation of oil, we examined the influence of oxidative degradation of oils on the tendency to form high-temperature deposits. Furthermore, the countermeasure to prevent from deposit formation is also considered.

Keywords

• lubricant
• deposit
• formation
• desorption
• high temperature