New efficient lubricant chemistries for the prevention of steel hydrogen embrittlement in modern drivetrains for low carbon transport

电动和氢燃料汽车的传动系被证明容易从润滑剂释放氢到轴承和齿轮中。这些机械部件的可靠性不足可能不利于能源效率和新的低碳技术的兴起，这些技术被视为到2050年实现与交通相关的净零碳目标的关键。氢从润滑的接触中释放并扩散到钢中被证明会导致材料过早失效，从而限制轴承和齿轮的可靠性。通过精心设计的实验和分析研究，该项目将研究氢原子如何在滑动/滚动摩擦学界面上产生的机理，以及表面活性润滑剂添加剂在防止氢在钢中扩散的作用。实验工作将集中在使用试验台进行摩擦学实验，以现场监测摩擦化学过程中的放氢，并伴随着润滑剂和表面表征。最终目标是建议并验证具有定制摩擦学和释氢性能的润滑油添加剂化学成分。该项目得到了位于奥地利的AC2T Research GmbH(AC2T)和利兹大学的支持，将涉及AC2T的一名借调人员。该项目旨在利用利兹开发的定制方法来现场监测摩擦学系统中的氢释放，以研究润滑剂成分和氢释放之间的关系。因此，润滑剂形成致密而稳定的摩擦膜的能力将被用来防止氢扩散到钢中，从而提高动力传动系统在低碳运输系统中的可靠性。主要目标是：-量化氢在钢中的扩散，作为润滑剂化学、摩擦学条件和污染的函数。-利用摩擦膜生长来防止放氢和扩散。-应用开发的方法来配制和验证具有定制摩擦学性能的新型润滑油添加剂。

Drivetrains in electric and hydrogen-fuelled vehicles are shown to be susceptible to hydrogen release from the lubricant into bearings and gears. Insufficient reliability of these machine elements can be detrimental to energy efficiency and the rise of new low carbon technologies, seen as essential in achieving transport-related net zero carbon targets by 2050. Hydrogen release from lubricated contacts and its diffusion into steel is proven to lead to a premature material failure, limiting the reliability of bearings and gears. Through well-designed experimental and analytical research, the project will study the mechanisms of how hydrogen atoms are generated in sliding/rolling tribological interfaces and the role of surface-active lubricant additives in preventing hydrogen diffusion in steel. The experimental work will focus on tribological experiments using a test rig for in-situ monitoring of hydrogen evolution from tribochemical processes, accompanied by lubricant and surface characterisation. The ultimate goal is to propose and validate lubricant additive chemistries with customised tribological and hydrogen release performance. The project is supported by AC2T research GmbH (AC2T) located in Austria and the University of Leeds, and will involve a secondment in AC2T.The project aims to utilise the Leeds-developed bespoke method for in-situ monitoring hydrogen evolution from tribological systems to study the relationship between lubricant composition and hydrogen release. Consequently, lubricant's ability to form dense and stable tribofilms will be exploited to prevent hydrogen diffusion into steel, improving drivetrains' reliability in low carbon transport systems. Key objectives are:- Quantify hydrogen diffusion into steel as a function of lubricant chemistry, tribological conditions and contamination. - Utilise the tribofilm growth for preventing hydrogen evolution and diffusion.- Apply the developed methods to formulate and validate new lubricant additives with customized tribological performance.