Preparation of Organosiloxane-Based Inorganic/Organic Hybrids with High Affinity toward Engine Oil

Organosiloxane-based inorganic/organic hybrid films with high wettability toward engine oil have been prepared, aiming at the development of low friction materials under boundary and fluid lubrication conditions for application to automobile components. The presence of phenyl groups in organosiloxane-based hybrids was more effective for the high wettability with oil than other organic groups such as alkyl and fluoro-alkyl groups with different carbon-chain length. In order to readily obtain hybrid films without cracks, dimethyl groups were incorporated into the phenylsiloxane-based hybrid. The hybrid films were found to have the good wettability with oil up to the heat-treatment temperature of 400°C. In the C6H5Si(OC2H5)3:(CH3)2Si(OC2H5)2 ratios of 20:80 to 10:90, the hybrid films were found to keep a relatively good wettability with oil although the content of phenyl groups decreased.