The Role of Ferric Oxide Nanoparticles in Improving Lubricity and Tribo-Electrochemical Performance During Chemical–Mechanical Polishing

The role of ferric oxide nanoparticles on the lubricating characteristics of passivating films formed on stainless steel (SS) was discussed in this study. The tribo-electrochemical behavior of mirror-like polished AISI 304 SS, used as an exemplary material, was evaluated in various electrolytes by means of a simulated chemical–mechanical polishing process in laboratory scale. It was clearly demonstrated that a suitable combination of abrasives (ferric oxide nanoparticles) and an oxidizer (nitric acid) can act as an effective lubricant that lowers the friction and wear of the AISI 304 SS surfaces. The excellent lubricating and anti-corrosion properties shown by a slurry containing a high content of ferric oxide nanoparticles at high nitric acid concentrations were attributed to the formation of a stable and robust passive film that was composed of chromium oxide and a mixture of iron oxides. The lack of ferric oxide nanoparticles in two solutions containing nitric acid of different concentrations led to pitting corrosion and abrasive wear. When low concentrations of both ferric oxide nanoparticles and nitric acid were used, wear-accelerated corrosion became the dominant mechanism that was caused by the presence of third-body wear particles in the contact zone.