The Tribological Behaviors of a Lanthanum Complex with Diethyldithiocarbamate Ligand as Additive in Lithium Grease

A lanthanum complex with diethyldithiocarbamate ligand (ELaDTC) was prepared under the atmospheric environment. The load carrying capacity and anti wear property of ELaDTC as additive in lithium grease were evaluated using a four ball test machine and compared with that of zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP). The results indicate that ELaDTC possesses excellent load carrying capacity and good anti wear property. The load carrying capacity of ELaDTC is better than that of ZDDP when the additive concentration is 3%; The anti wear property of ELaDTC is also better than that of ZDDP at the additive concentration of 3%. The lubricating mechanism of ELaDTC was dissussed based on X ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis.