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

电动和氢燃料车辆的传动系统被证明容易受到氢从润滑剂释放到轴承和齿轮中的影响。这些机器元件的可靠性不足可能会对能源效率和新的低碳技术的兴起产生不利影响，而这些技术被视为到2050年实现与运输相关的净零碳目标的关键。氢从润滑接触中释放并扩散到钢中被证明会导致材料过早失效，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，该项目将研究滑动/滚动摩擦界面中氢原子的生成机制以及表面活性润滑剂添加剂在防止钢中氢扩散方面的作用。实验工作将侧重于摩擦学实验，使用试验台对摩擦化学过程中的析氢进行原位监测，同时进行润滑剂和表面表征。最终目标是提出并验证具有定制摩擦学和氢释放性能的润滑剂添加剂化学品。该项目得到了奥地利AC 2 T研究有限公司（AC 2 T）和利兹大学的支持，并将涉及AC 2 T的借调人员。该项目旨在利用利兹开发的定制方法原位监测摩擦学系统中的析氢，以研究润滑剂成分与氢释放之间的关系。因此，将利用润滑剂形成致密和稳定摩擦膜的能力来防止氢扩散到钢中，从而提高低碳运输系统中传动系统的可靠性。主要目标是：-量化氢扩散到钢作为润滑剂化学，摩擦条件和污染的函数。- 利用摩擦膜生长防止氢析出和扩散。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剂添加剂。

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.