Influence of electric potentials on friction of sliding contacts lubricated by an ionic liquid.

Tribological investigations on the macroscopic scale revealed that friction can be influenced in situ by applying electric potentials, if electrically conductive fluid such as an ionic liquid is used as a lubricant. Enrichment of charged ions at a steel interface occurs by applying electric surface potentials in a three-electrode setup. As a consequence, the lubrication conditions change. It is supposed that electrically influenced surface adsorption and electrokinetic effects are the main mechanisms by which friction is varied.