Performance of synthetic oils in the hydrodynamic regime ‐ II. Generalisation

In Parti I the results of an extensive experimental investigation of the performance of environmentally adapted oils in the hydrodynamic regime were reported. Four oils were tested in a tilting‐pad thrust bearing for different combinations of load, shaft speed, and supply oil temperature. In this second part, details of a generalisation procedure are described. A number of parameters representing the physical properties of an oil, such as viscosity and viscosity‐temperature coefficient, are adopted. The influence of each of these parameters on minimum oil film thickness, maximum temperature rise, and bearing power loss is then analysed. It is shown that viscosity measured at the supply oil temperature is the most important parameter. The effects of the viscosity‐temperature coefficient and oil thermal conductivity are less pronounced and yet significant. It is also shown that it is not possible to select an optimum oil that yields maximised oil film thickness, minimised temperature rise, and minimised power loss at the same time.     

The influence of some additives on the lubricating properties of semi‐synthetic ester oils

This article presents research on the lubricating properties of semi‐synthetic oils, made as compositions of mineral oil and esters. The esters were synthesized from acid substrates from the oxidation of paraffins. The last non‐seizure load (P_n), the weld point (P_z), the load wear index (I_h), and the limiting wear load (G_oz) were measured, and the effects of additives or mixtures of additives were investigated by their effects on these parameters. It was found that the efficiency of the additives depended on their chemical characteristics and concentration, and also on the chemical nature of the ester component of the semi‐synthetic oils.     

A Method for the Measurement of Hydrodynamic Oil Films Using Ultrasonic Reflection

The measurement of the thickness of an oil film in a lubricated component is essential information for performance monitoring and control. In this work, a new method for oil film thickness measurement, based on the reflection of ultrasound, is evaluated for use in fluid film journal bearing applications. An ultrasonic wave will be partially reflected when it strikes a thin layer between two solid media. The proportion of the wave reflected depends on the thickness of the layer and its acoustic properties. A simple quasi-static spring model shows how the reflection depends on the stiffness of the layer alone. This method has been first evaluated using flat plates separated by a film of oil, and then used in the measurement of oil films in a hydrodynamic journal bearing. A transducer is mounted on the outside of the journal and a pulse propagated through the shell. The pulse is reflected back at the oil film and received by the same transducer. The amplitude of the reflected wave is processed in the frequency domain. The spring model is then used to determine the oil film stiffness that can be readily converted to film thickness. Whilst the reflected amplitude of the wave is dependent on the frequency component, the measured film thickness is not; this indicates that the quasi-static assumption holds. Measurements of the lubricant film generated in a simple journal bearing have been taken over a range of loads and speeds. The results are compared with predictions from classical hydrodynamic lubrication theory. The technique has also been used to measure oil film thickness during transient loading events. The response time is rapid and film thickness variation due to step changes in load and oil feed pressure can be clearly observed.     

Thermal effect in hydrodynamic lubrication of line contacts-Piezoviscous effect neglected

Thermal effect in high-speed rolling element bearings has been investigated numerically following a computationally efficient method developed by Elrod and Brewe [11. Viscous shear heating effects on both film thickness and rolling friction are investigated for a line-contact geometry assuming fully flooded lubrication. Thermal load-carrying capacity and rolling friction of the line contact have been numerically calculated for varying rolling speeds from 5 to 40 m/s and dimensionless film thickness between 10⁻⁴ and 10⁻³. Results indicate marked influence of viscous shear heating on the load-carrying capacity, film thickness and rolling traction at high rolling speeds. Neglecting thermal effect at high rolling speeds would lead to gross overestimation of load capacity, film thickness and traction. Results are presented for pressure and temperature distribution within the contact for various rolling speeds and film thicknesses.     

Viscosity–pressure–temperature behaviour of mineral and synthetic oils

A new high‐pressure viscometer that can measure viscosity at pressures up to 0.8 GPa has been developed in the authors' laboratory. The ‘modulus equation’ has been used to compare the behaviour of mineral and synthetic lubricants. Among the oils investigated there was one ester that biodegraded rapidly both before and after ageing in a long‐term test‐rig operation. To facilitate a comparison or application of the results to other oils, an analysis of the correlation between the viscosity—pressure coefficient and the kinematic viscosity measured at atmospheric pressure has been provided. A prediction of lubricant film thickness based on high‐pressure viscosity data is compared with film thickness measurements in a roller bearing.     

Dynamic characteristics and stability of a journal bearing in a non-laminar lubrication regime

A mathematical model to determine the stiffness and damping coefficients and the stability limit curves of a journal bearing in a non-laminar lubrication regime is described. The results show the flow regime influence on the dynamic characteristics of cylindrical bearings and on the stability of a rigid rotor on rigid supports.     

Grease lubrication of rolling element bearings — role of the grease thickener

The contribution of grease thickener to lubricant film formation was examined in this paper. Lubricant film thickness and friction were measured for different grease thickener types in a bearing simulation device. The results showed that the greases formed thick (20–80nm), low friction surface layers at low speeds, which were much greater than the corresponding base oil film. These films appeared to be formed by the physical deposition of thickener in the track during overrolling of the grease. This was confirmed by infrared reflection analysis, which showed the deposited films to have increased thickener content. The ability of grease to form renewable physically deposited solid films has significant implications for optimising lubricant formulation for certain applications, e.g. bearings operating at high temperatures and low speeds where a conventional elastohydrodynamic lubricating film would be inadequate. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the hydrodynamic lubrication analysis of piston rings

A theoretical hydrodynamic lubrication analysis of piston rings is presented. A numerical scheme is developed to solve the Reynolds' equation and the load equilibrium equation simultaneously. The hydrodynamic effects are examined in detail by considering solutions to the problem of lubricating the top compression ring in a two-stroke diesel engine. The minimum film thickness is computed throughout a complete cycle. The pressure profiles and film shapes at different crankshaft angles are presented. In the method proposed, the camtation boundary condition within the lubricated conjunction is included in the analysis.     

Maximum oil film pressure and temperature of two‐iobe journal bearings with different bush profiles

This paper presents data on the maximum oil film pressure and temperature of two‐lobe journal bearings with different bore profiles. A bearing with a cylindrical non‐continuous bore profile, and another with a pericycloid continuous profile have been evaluated. For an assumed relative length of the bearings, and parallel orientation of the journal and bearing axes, the minimum values of oil film thickness, maximum pressure values, and temperatures of the oil film have been determined. The calculations were carried out on the assumption of an adiabatic oil film and a static equilibrium position of the journal.     

Performance characteristics of oil‐in‐water mixtures in a journal bearing using different bearing materials

Oil‐in‐water (o/w) mixtures have an interesting property that has attracted the attention of tribologists, namely, that they can form thicker hydrodynamic films than those inferred from their rheological properties. The oil phase is believed to separate out on the metal surface in concentrated contacts lubricated with o/w mixtures. In this paper the performance characteristics of water‐based oils have been systematically explored for their film‐generating capabilities. The lubrication properties of o/w lubricants are studied and compared in a journal bearing rig assembly with different bearing materials. The rig is run under increasing loads and speeds in conditions pertinent to hydrodynamic lubrication. The rig has been able to operate with o/w mixtures at a concentration as low as 10 vol.%. However, the results have shown that the bearings exhibited signs of high eccentricities with o/w mixtures compared to Engineering Sciences Data Unit (ESDU) predictions. This behaviour has been attributed to shear rate effects on water‐based lubricants.     

Use of a non-conventional synthetic basestock in the formulation of high-quality engine oils

Research has been undertaken to identify new synthetic basestocks, to be used alone or with polyalphaolefins, for the formulation of high-quality engine oils. Basestock selection was limited to products not normally used in the synthesis of ester-type basestocks. A non-conventional product was identified: a carbonic ester of synthetic alcohols. A complete engine oil has been formulated using this basestock and submitted to a full test programme. The results are reported.     

轴向推力轴承性能仿真及试验研究

推力轴承是离心压缩机的关键部件,其性能对压缩机的可靠性有决定性的影响。本文首先利用THRUST软件建立了可倾瓦止推轴承的三维模型,并考虑轴承瓦块、推力盘和油膜之间的流场-温度场-弹性变形的耦合,获得转子转速1500 r/min,2000r/min,2500 r/min,3000r/min 和3500r/min下可倾瓦推力轴承的油膜厚度、转子轴向位移及轴瓦温度。同时,建立试验装置并进行试验研究,最大轴承载荷为30000N。最后将试验结果与软件仿真结果相对比,发现模拟得出的瓦块温度和轴位移值与试验相吻合,从而证明THRUST软件的算法适用于本文研究的工况范围内的推力轴承的模拟,可为推力轴承的性能预测、优化设计及改造提供指导。     

Thermo‐oxidative stability of high‐temperature stability polyol ester jet engine oils — a comparison of test methods

Thermo‐oxidative stability in aerospace turbine oils is an important criterion. A new category (HTS) of turbine oil has been introduced, and the present work compares data on the oxidation stability of HTS oils obtained using the FTM 791, method 5308 test, at various temperatures, and PDSC experimental data, to standard class oils (STD). PDSC has become established in recent years as an effective means with which to establish the thermo‐oxidative stability of oils. The purpose of the present work was to find out whether PDSC could identify HTS oils correctly, and also to increase our understanding of some of the chemical processes behind the test results. Analogies in the degradation of the oligomer antioxidants have been confirmed by MALDITOF mass spectra.     

Elastohydrodynamic study of vegetable oil–polyalphaolefin blends

Two polyalphaolefins, of higher and lower viscosity than vegetable oils, were used to make binary blends of varying compositions with soy bean and canola oils. The pure oils and the blends were used in viscosity and film thickness investigations. The effects of composition and temperature on viscosity were found to agree well with the theoretical predictions of a simple mixing law. The film thicknesses of the various blends under elastohydrodynamic conditions were measured at 20 N load, and varying entrainment speeds and temperatures. From the data, pressure–viscosity coefficients, α, as a function composition and temperature were obtained. The resulting α values were compared with theoretical predictions. Experimental values of α as a function of composition showed a slight negative or no deviation from the values predicted by an ideal mixing model. On the other hand, experimental values of α displayed a mild decrease with increasing temperature, while the model predicted a sharp decrease with increasing temperature. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Film‐forming properties of castor oil–polyol ester blends in elastohydrodynamic conditions

The viscosity and elastohydrodynamic (EHD) film thickness properties of binary blends of castor oil with polyol esters were determined experimentally. Predicted blend viscosities were calculated from the viscosities of the pure blend components. Measured viscosity values were closer to the values predicted using the Lederer model than the Arrhenius model. EHD film thickness data were mostly in agreement with the predictions of the Hamrock–Dowson model. Observed deviations of EHD film thickness were attributed to boundary film formation and thermal effects. Calculated effective pressure–viscosity coefficients, α, displayed a complex relationship with blend viscosity. At 40°C, the addition of 10% polyol esters resulted in a 12–17% drop in α of castor oil. Higher concentrations of polyol esters resulted in an increase of α. At 70 and 100°C, α displayed an almost linear dependence on blend composition. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analyses of thermal hydrodynamic lubrication in high-speed rolling. Part I: the effect of the roller's elastic deformation

A study of thermal hydrodynamic lubrication for high-speed strip rolling, which includes the roller's elastic deformation, was developed for a lubricant whose rheological behaviour satisfies the Barus' model. The difference in lubricating performances between an elastic roller and a rigid roller was assessed using parameters such as film thickness and pressure; temperature distributions in the fluid film, roller, and workpiece; separating force and shear torque. The elastic roller was made either of a unique material or its substrate was coated with one layer of a harder material to improve the wear resistance. The elastic deformation of the roller was obtained with the aid of Hitchcock's elastic-deformation theory and the biharmonic equation of Airy's stress function. It was found that the elastic deformation produces a substantial effect on some rolling characteristics.     

Industrial gear oil — a study of the interaction of antiwear and extreme-pressure additives

The load-carrying capacity of a base oil containing antiwear and extreme-pressure additives, sulphurized olefin (SO), dibutyl phosphite (DBP) and a thiophosphate-amine complex (SPN) was evaluated using a Timken Tester. The roughness and chemical composition of the rubbing surfaces were measured at different sliding times. A static oil immersion test of oil and steel block was carried out and the bonding strength of the protective film formed in the oil immersion test was investigated using a scratch tester. Results indicate that even with a very small amount of DBP blending with SO, a much higher Timken OK load could be obtained. The rubbing surface roughness of SO combined with DBP was much smoother than that of the SO or DBP oil alone. The scratch test of the block after immersion in the lubricant in static showed that with the combination of SO with DBP, a high-strength protective film on the steel block could be produced.     

光谱技术在植物油脂掺伪和地沟油检测上的应用

综述了红外光谱、近红外光谱、紫外吸收光谱等光谱技术在植物油脂掺伪以及地沟油检测中的应用。介绍了红外光谱技术、近红外光谱技术等检测油脂的原理和检测方法的优缺点。展望了光谱技术特别是红外光谱技术和近红外光谱在地沟油检测中的应用前景。提出多种方法联合运用的检测掺伪油脂和地沟油的新思路。     

Applications of the concept of tribopolymerisation in fuels,lubricants, metalworking,and ‘minimalist’ lubrication

Tribopolymerisation, a novel concept of molecular design developed by Furey and Kajdas, involves the continuous formation of thin polymeric films on rubbing surfaces; the protective films formed are self‐replenishing. The antiwear compounds developed are effective with metals and ceramics and in the liquid and vapour phases. Furthermore, they are ashless and contain no harmful phosphorus or sulphur, and many are biodegradable. The potential applications are diverse and have cost, performance, energy, and environmental advantages. The present paper describes some applications of the concept of tribopolymerisation as a mechanism of boundary lubrication, including recent laboratory research and in‐plant industrial demonstrations. Applications include: (a) ashless antiwear or ‘lubricity’ additives for fuels; (b) ashless lubricants for automotive engines to reduce exhaust catalyst poisoning and environmental emissions; (c) lubrication of ceramic engines or ceramic components; (d) machining and cutting using thin films to reduce friction and ceramic tool wear; (e) vapour‐phase applications in high‐temperature gaseous systems or to counter fuel injector wear problems in natural gas engines; (f) special ‘minimalist’ pre‐treatment compositions for engine assembly and running‐in; and (g) enabling technology in the development of new engines and propulsion systems.