Temperature-controlled Friction Coefficient Lubricated by Liquid Crystal

ABSTRACT

The molecular arrangement in the lubricating film will affect the friction coefficient. When using liquid crystal as a lubricant, various methods can be tried to adjust the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules to actively control the lubrication effect. In this study, 5CB with a clearing point of 35°C was used as a lubricant. By changing the temperature, the lubricating molecules in the contact area were switched between an ordered liquid crystal state and a disordered liquid state, and a friction coefficient that changed synchronously with the temperature was obtained. It provides new ideas for active control of lubrication in the fields of smart bearings and emergency braking.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• temperature-controlled lubrication
• liquid crystal
• ordered layers
• friction coefficient

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 52005386 and the Tribology Science Fund of State Key Laboratory of Tribology under Grant SKLTKF19B10.