Conductive lubricants to prevent hydrogen assisted rolling contact fatigue

The effectiveness of conductive lubricants, particularly ionic liquids (ILs), in mitigating premature failure such as hydrogen-assisted rolling contact fatigue (HARCF) in rolling-contact bearings is investigated. The degradation of lubricants under tribological load leads to hydrogen generation, contributing to HARCF. The addition of ILs to lubricants significantly enhances their electrical conductivity, thereby preventing premature failure and extending bearing lifespan. Experimental investigations, including linear-oscillation sliding and rolling-contact fatigue tests, confirm the superior performance of a lubricant containing 3.0 vol% Trihexyltetradecylphosphonium-bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)-imide [P66614][BTA]. These findings provide valuable insights into enhancing bearing reliability in industrial applications.