Discrete Nature of Ultrathin Lubrication Film Between Mica Surfaces

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Abstract
A new apparatus which can measure force and separation between surfaces accurately is developed. Ultrathin fluid lubrication film thickness between mica surfaces is measured using this apparatus. Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (OMCTS) is used as a lubricant. As a result of the experiment, it is found that when the film thickness is more than about 10 nm (ten times as large as the molecular diameter of OMCTS), there is good agreement with the conventional continuum fluid lubrication theory (EHL theory). In case of film thickness less than 10 nm, however, it deviates from the theoretical prediction and discretization of film thickness is observed. It is considered that this phenomenon is due to the solvation force (structural force), and that the molecular effect cannot be neglected in such an ultrathin lubrication phenomenon as in this experiment.