An assessment of beeswax as a thickener for environmentally friendly lubricating grease production

Environmentally friendly lubricants are preferred in many applications where groundwater or soil pollution is possible. The main purpose of the current study was to evaluate the possibility of beeswax use as a thickener for lubricating greases. European beeswax was used as a thickening material for the preparation of lubricating greases. Rapeseed oil and two mineral oils were used as base oils. The consistency, dropping point temperature, and tribological properties of the prepared lubricating greases were investigated and compared with conventional soap‐thickened greases. The prepared greases exhibited good tribological properties, especially the rapeseed‐oil‐based grease. However, tribological properties of conventional lubricating grease were superior to prepared ones. The weakness of the prepared lubricating greases is their narrow working temperature range. However, the beeswax together with rapeseed oil has great potential in the production of environmentally friendly, completely renewable lubricating greases. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rheological and tribological characterisation of six wet lubricants for space

Dry lubricants are often used in space because of their excellent behaviour in a vacuum and their thermal stability. However, mechanisms which are heavily loaded, with a high sliding rate, a long life span, or needing a stable friction coefficient cannot use this kind of product. They can be replaced by wet lubricants specially developed for vacuum applications. Such lubricants have a low vapour pressure in order to minimise outgassing losses and avoid contamination. Since European experience in the field of wet lubrication in space is rather limited, the French Space Agency CNES, with the help of the LMC (Laboratoire de Mécanique des Contacts - Contact Mechanics Laboratory), is currently characterising several wet lubricants for use in space applications. The selected lubricants were tested on a vacuum friction test bench which allows the main contact parameters to be controlled: speed, load, and kinematics. The bench is equipped with vacuum facilities and, since it runs under air, neutral gas, or vacuum, it can be used to study the effects of atmosphere. Variations of physical properties (viscosity) versus temperature (−60°C to 100°) and pressure (from atmospheric pressure to 500 MPa) were studied for all the lubricants tested, and these characteristics take into account in the analysis of the tribological test results. This paper briefly lists the characteristics of a space environment (vacuum, microgravity, etc.) and their consequences for lubrication. It describes the equipment used and the tribological and rheological test results obtained on six wet lubricants (three oils and three greases). It also contains conclusions in terms of recommendations about the use of such lubricants.     

Low temperature tribometers and the behaviour of ADLC coatings in cryogenic environment

In a cryogenic environment components with interacting surfaces in relative motion (tribosystems) like bearings, seals and valves often generate undesired heat and experience high wear. Because conventional lubricants like oils or greases cannot be used in this temperature range, solid lubricants or materials with good frictional properties in unlubricated operation must be used. To test the suitability of conventional and advanced materials for tribosystems in this extreme environment and to obtain reliable materials data, model friction tests at low temperatures are performed. In most of the tests the samples are in ball-on-disc-configuration but various methods for cooling, loading, and measurement are applied. As an example the test results for amorphous carbon coatings in the temperature range 10–77 K are presented. These coatings can be suitable for cryogenic tribosystems, but their behaviour strongly depends on the composition and deposition method.     

Lubrication potential of boron compounds: An overview

Boron compounds are emerging as promising materials for a wide range of applications in automotive and industrial lubrication systems. Several studies conducted on boron compounds have revealed that they exhibit desirable properties for preparing stable and compatible lubricant components for a new generation of lubricating oil formulations. Boron‐containing lubricants have major tribological advantages, such as antiwear efficiency, good film strength, high‐temperature resistance, and self‐lubricating properties. The increasing number of patents concerning boron‐containing lubricants illustrates commercial interest in this area. Boron lubricants can be used in many forms, such as oxides, esters, and boric acid. Therefore, it can be expected that a new generation of lubricant formulations includes boron compounds. This paper presents an overview of various solid and liquid lubricants containing boron as an important ingredient, and is intended to aid the development of new lubricants.     

Friction and Wear Behaviors of Ni-based Composites Containing Graphite/Ag2MoO4 Lubricants

In order to improve the tribological properties of Ni-based composites, novel adaptive Ni-based composites containing multiple lubricants were prepared via a mechanical alloying and hot-press sintering technique. The phase constituents and microstructure of the composites were characterized and the tribological properties were evaluated from room temperature to 700 °C. The results showed that the Ag₂MoO₄ phase decomposed and new phases of Mo₂C, Ag, and MoO₃ formed in the sintered composites, which can be attributed to the solid state reaction of silver molybdate lubricant during the sintering process. The wear test results indicated that the Ni-based composites containing graphite and silver molybdate lubricants exhibited superior tribological properties at ambient and high temperatures. Subsequently, the Raman results demonstrated that the composition of the tribo-layers on the worn surface of the Ni-based composites was varied with increasing temperature. Combined with the wear test results, it can be proposed that the improvement of tribological properties is due to the synergistic lubricating action of silver molybdate, iron oxide, and nickel oxide. Furthermore, Raman results of the composite containing silver molybdate and silver/molybdenum trioxide lubricants revealed that the silver molybdate lubricant can reproduce easily by the direct reaction between molybdenum trioxide and silver in the agglomerate state.     

In Situ Tribological Evaluation of Greases and Solid Lubricants in a Simulated Atomic Oxygen Environment

Four greases and nine solid lubricants have been applied lo 440C steel surfaces and subjected to in situ tribo-testing in a simulaled-atomic-oxygen (SAO) environment. The test apparatus, procedures and results are described. The discussion addresses the calibration of the SAO tribometer using Kapton H film, the effect of SAO on wear and friction characteristics of unlubricaied 440C steel, and the screening test results for all the lubricants wider SAO conditions. Endurance test results of selected greases and solid lubricants, such as a PEPE-type grease and MoS₂ coatings, are also presented. The results of this research should facilitate selection of effective solid lubricants and greases and hence lead to improved lifetimes for mechanisms that must, operate in the atomic-oxygen environment of low-Earth orbits.     

纳米三氧化钼的制备及其抗磨性能研究

以钼酸铵和醋酸为原料合成纳米MoO3,并采用四球机考察纳米MoO3在润滑油、润滑脂中的抗磨性能。结果表明,纳米MoO3与油酸、二烷基二硫代磷酸锌在润滑油中具有良好的抗磨协同效应,在锂基润滑脂中具有良好的抗磨性能,尤其在高添加量和高负荷下作用更为明显。这表明纳米MoO3作为固体润滑剂,能够提高润滑油、润滑脂的摩擦学性能。     

Perfluoropolyether lubricants

This work reports the physico-chemical characteristics, the tribological characteristics and additive susceptibility of two series of perfluoropolyether fluids and greases, one obtained from hexafluoropropene, the other from tetrafluoroethene. Some applications of perfluoropolyether lubricants are considered.     

Vegetable oil derivatives: environment‐friendly lubricants and fuels

A critical appraisal is made of the applications of vegetable oils, the fatty esters complex and synthetic esters as rapidly biodegradable and non‐toxic lubricants and fuels in the developed countries of America, Europe and Asia. The criteria employed for assessing the toxicity and biodegradability of the various fluids and limits set by various state and regional organizations are reviewed. The properties of vegetable oils, fatty esters, chemically modified esters and synthetic esters relevant for performance as lubricants in various applications such as hydraulic oils, refrigeration oils, chainsaw lubricants, metalworking fluids, engine oils, two‐stroke oils, mould release lubricants, greases, gear and transmission oils vis‐à‐vis conventional mineral oils and greases for corresponding applications are compared. The advantages, such as high lubricity, viscosity–temperature relationship, low lubricant consumption, energy efficiency combined with public health, safety and environmental contamination, more than offset the disadvantages of initial costs in most of these applications. It has been suggested that modified and stabilized oils of wasteland and forest origin and other non‐edible oils and their chemically modified derivatives can be produced at relatively cheaper cost than similar oils marketed in the developed world and can be introduced in India with immense environmental and performance benefits, particularly in applications involving high environmental contamination safety and public health. When blended with highly refined diesel fuels, methyl esters can work as highly efficient environment‐friendly fuels particularly for applications in passenger transport, light commercial vehicles and generators. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lubricating Materials for Mechanisms Operating in Space

A comparative analysis of the main types of greases and base oils for their manufacture that are used for lubricating mechanisms operating in space is performed. Their differences in terms of chemical composition, volatility, and operating temperature range are analyzed. The research results on the tribological properties of lubricating greases and on the effect of the base oil and additive types on their life are presented. The main techniques for testing the volatility, the lubricating ability, and the life of greases are reviewed.     

A Review of Ionic Liquids for Green Molecular Lubrication in Nanotechnology

Common industrial lubricants include natural and synthetic hydrocarbons and perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs), where the latter is widely used in commercial applications requiring extreme operating conditions due to their high temperature stability and extremely low vapor pressure. However, PFPEs exhibit low electrical conductivity, making them undesirable in some nanotechnology applications. Ionic liquids (ILs) have been explored as lubricants for various device applications due to their excellent electrical conductivity as well as good thermal conductivity, where the latter allows frictional heating dissipation. Since they do not emit volatile organic compounds, they are regarded as “green” lubricants. In this article, we review the different types of ILs and their physical properties responsible for lubrication. We also discuss their suitability as lubricants, since the long-term performance of ILs as lubricants may be affected by issues such as corrosion, oxidation, tribochemical reactions, and toxicity. We present nanotribological, electrical, and spectroscopic studies of IL films along with conventional tribological investigations, recognizing that understanding the tribological performance at various length scales is a crucial step in selecting and designing effective lubricants.     

Solid-lubricated ball bearings for use in a vacuum — state-of-the-art

The tribological responses of solid-lubricated ball bearings for vacuum use are described with reference to their friction torque, wear life, performance at high temperatures and high loads, effects of bearing materials other than steel, outgassing, dust generation and cost reduction, based (in part) on the materials offered by Japanese bearing manufacturers. In view of their outgassing and dust-generation characteristics, solid lubricants applied so far are not satisfactory. A new generation of fluorinated-polymer-lubricated bearings provides low contamination properties and can be used in air as well as in vacuum.     

水基边界润滑剂的摩擦特性

本文介绍了采用Ｍ－２００摩擦磨损试验机在所给定的各级负荷下,对所合成的用于水基边界润滑系统的边界润滑剂,进行的摩擦特性的试验,结果表明：在以水为溶剂的边界润滑系统中,负荷对摩擦特性的影响有效地反映该系统的润滑性能的优劣,与大挂等人所测定的温度对边界润滑剂的摩擦特性影响具有同样的效果。     

超细软金属铜粉在润滑脂中摩擦学性能的考察

通过四球试验，考察了软金属微米铜粉在润滑脂中的摩擦学行为和抗磨性。试验结果表明：在适当含量和载荷条件下，铜粉加入润滑脂中可以提高脂的抗磨性。通过对磨斑表面形貌分析，含有铜粉的润滑脂的磨斑表面要比基础脂的磨斑表面光洁度高。     

Study of the Conductivity and Tribological Performance of Ionic Liquid and Lithium Greases

Ionic liquid (IL) lubricating greases were prepared using 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide as base oil and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as thickener, respectively. Three kinds of lithium greases were also prepared using lithium ILs ([Li(PAG)]X) as base oil and PTFE as thickener. 1-Ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate as an additive was added to the PAG grease, which was prepared using polyalkylene glycol monobutyl ether (PAG) as base oil and PTFE as thickener. The conductivities and tribological properties of the prepared lubricating greases were investigated in detail. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to explore the friction and wear mechanism. The results showed that the IL and lithium lubricating greases have conductivities and excellent tribological properties. Especially, IL greases have the highest conductivity. The excellent tribological properties are attributed to the formation of boundary films consisting of both tribo-chemical reaction films and physical absorption films, while high conductivities are attributed to the intrinsic electric fields of the ILs.     

Total vegetable oil greases

A grease has two major constituents, namely, a lubricant, that performs the function of lubrication; and a gellant, that provides a solid continuous phase, occludes the lubricant, and gives apparent physical structure to the grease. Generally, the gellant is 5–30% and the lubricant 65–90%, additives and fillers making up the rest. In conventional greases, the gellant is a vegetable oil soap, and the lubricant is a liquid oil of petroleum origin or is a synthetic. Such greases have limited biodegradability, because the major constituent, i.e., the lubricant, is normally not biodegradable. In total vegetable oil grease, both the gellant and the lubricant are derived from vegetable oils, giving a grease of potentially high eco‐compatibility. Esters, dibasic acid esters, and alkylated esters of vegetable oil are known to be high‐quality lubricants. These can be used with soap stocks prepared from vegetable oils to give a grease of total vegetable oil origin. The vegetable‐oil based lubricants and soaps are prepared separately and combined in appropriate proportions to give a grease of the required specifications. Alternatively, esterification and saponification can be carried out simultaneously to give a grease of the desired specifications, where an alkali will be the catalyst for esterification, and reactant for saponification. In this paper, the process parameters, and kinetics of these simultaneous reactions are discussed. The results of experimental evaluation of some of these greases are also presented.     

Some Improvements in Solid Lubricants Coatings For High Temperature Operations

In order to satisfy the growing request in solid lubrication for high temperatures, new solid lubricants are being developed. In this field the “quasi” solid lubricants and the soft nonabrasive film-forming lubricants constitute two important families.

In the family of “quasi” solid lubricants an evaluation of lead monoxide-lead silicate coatings has been performed, particularly through the examination of the effect of minor addition of metallic materials, such as aluminum, iron and stainless steel, on the lubricant properties of coatings. These coatings are obtained through the melting and partial devitrification of lubricants. The lubricating properties of the coatings have been evaluated at different temperatures, with different load, with the rider wear and friction test.

The system PbO-SiO₂-Fe has shown the best properties (f = 0.2 at 650 C), and it may be utilized as a lubricant coating at temperatures to 650 C.

In the family of soft nonabrasive film-forming lubricants, an evaluation of CaF₂-base systems has been performed. In this case micrographic examinations, rider wear, and friction determinations have been carried out for evaluating the lubricating properties of the coatings.

For applications that foresee temperatures over a wide range, the CaF₂-BaF₂-A g system is the most promising for lubricant coatings (f = 0.32 at 25 C₁ f = 0.18 at 700 C); it may be used up to 800 C. For the temperature range 400–800 C, CaF₂-BaF₂ 60–40 w/o system may be utilized for its low friction coefficient (at 600–700 C, f = 0.20). Some improvements in solid lubricants coatings for high temperature operations are discussed.     

Rheological and Tribological Characterization of a New Acylated Chitosan–Based Biodegradable Lubricating Grease: A Comparative Study with Traditional Lithium and Calcium Greases

This work compares the thermal, rheological, and tribological properties of a new gel-like biodegradable formulation, prepared using an acylated chitosan thickener and castor oil, with properties exhibited by two conventional greases thickened with lithium and calcium soaps, respectively, taken as benchmarks. Thermogravimetric (TGA), rheological (small-amplitude oscillatory shear [SAOS], rheodestruction, and viscous flow) and tribological (friction and wear analysis) tests, as well as roll-stability measurements were carried out to characterize the three grease samples. In addition, infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to chemically characterize the acylated chitosan thickener agent. From a thermogravimetric point of view, the new formulation displayed better thermal resistance than the calcium and lithium lubricating greases. The evolution of the linear viscoelasticity functions with frequency and viscosity values in the shear rate and temperature ranges studied were similar to those obtained with the commercial lubricating greases. However, the linear viscoelasticity functions of the biodegradable formulation were slightly more affected by temperature. The mechanical stability behavior and recovery of the rheological functions found in the biodegradable formulation were also better than that exhibited by the calcium-based grease. However, the friction coefficient measured at low rotational speed is slightly higher than that obtained with the benchmarks, with similar or lower values obtained at a high rotational speed. Resulting wear marks obtained after the frictional tests using the acylated chitosan–based grease were larger than those obtained with the commercial greases.     

Tribology,lubricants and lubrication engineering — a review

In this review paper more than 200 papers published between 1974 and 1976 are evaluated. These papers deal with the fundamentals of friction, wear and lubrication, including the state of friction, lubrication and materials. Another important subject is the analytical data and properties of mineral oil and synthetic lubricants, lubricating greases, additives and solid lubricants. Lubrication systems and lubricating devices as well as the lubrication of bearings, gears and internal combustion engines are also covered. Lubricants for machining processes and for metalworking are reviewed, as well as questions concerning the testing and evaluation of lubricants.