Effects of Polarity of Polymers on Conformation and Lubricating Film Formation of Adsorbed Films

The conformations and lubricating film formation ability of adsorbed films on metal surfaces formed by poly(alkyl methacrylate) (PAMA) homopolymers with different polarities from nonpolar lubricant oil were investigated. It was found that as the polarity of the polymers became higher, the chains in the adsorbed films adsorbed more loosely to the surfaces (i.e., they formed more loops and tails). The loosely adsorbed chains temporarily trapped free polymer chains flowing into the gap between sliding surfaces, resulting in a much thicker lubricating film. Thus, the sliding surfaces were better protected from wear caused by direct contact. On the other hand, flattened chains occupying in the adsorbed film formed by low polarity-polymers could not trap free polymer chains, resulting in a thinner lubricating film.