The article presents a discussion on the use of hexagonal boron nitride as an additive to lubricants. Based on the analysis of the research, factors determining its application were identified. These include particle size distribution, their morphology, specific surface area, and porosity. Next, the research identifying these properties for the four types of h-BN was described. Based on the results, the possible mechanisms of the influence of individual h-BN types were described. It was also found that the use of h-BN nanoparticles as lubricants seems to be promising.

The paper presents the test results of lubricity properties of Hydrol L-HL 32 hydraulic oil, Mobilube 1 SHC 75w-90 gear oil, and two base oils: SN-150 and SN-650, containing hexagonal boron nitride. To conduct the required tests, a four ball machine was used. This device is commonly used when assessing lubricity properties of oils and greases. The following normative lubricity parameters were defined: the value of welding point Pz [daN], the value of last non-seizing load Pn [daN], the value of seizing at smoothy growing load Pt [daN], as well as the wear limiting capacity load Goz [daN/mm2]. Furthermore, several non-normative tests were completed that covered indication of two parameters making it possible to complete an assessment of lubricity properties of oils. Based on the tests, it was determined that hexagonal boron nitride is a good additive that improves lubricity properties. Improvement in the above properties was recorded both in the case of hydraulic oil and gear oil, as well as oil bases. Relatively better improvement results were obtained in the case of oil bases, where the improvement in the results after using boron nitride, was more visible than in the case of hydraulic and gear oil. The best improvement results for hydraulic oil were obtained after adding 4% h-BN, whereas in the case of the SN-150 oil base, this value was 2% h-BN. The best improvement results for gear oil and SN-650 oil base were also obtained after adding 4% h-BN. The possibility of using the values of h-BN bigger than 4% was excluded. It was determined that bigger content of h-BN in oil generates negative effects (under four ball conditions). Keywords: tribology, lubricity, boron nitride.

The article discusses the problem of using hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) as a grease additive. The literature on the subject was analysed in terms of greases into which hexagonal boron nitride was added. Particular attention was paid to the nano h-BN, due to the topicality of this topic and the potential of nano-additives to lubricants noted in published scientific studies. It was found that in order to indicate the regularities describing the tribological interaction of hexagonal boron nitride, detailed studies and an analysis of its properties are required. The important factors determining the application of this additive include particle size distribution, morphology, specific surface area, and porosity. The mentioned properties were determined for four samples of hexagonal boron nitride, which were also objects of tribological experiments. For this purpose, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and XRD method were used, and low-temperature adsorption isotherms were determined. The research on the influence of h-BN on the lubricity properties of lithium grease was carried out on a four-ball apparatus. Possible mechanisms of interaction of different types of h-BN in the friction zone were identified using the information collected on their important properties. Based on the results of the research, it was found that the use of nano h-BN in the discussed context seems promising. Article published in connection with the Autumn Tribological School.

The paper presents the tests results of lubricity properties of base greases, containing hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN). To conduct the required tests, a four ball machine was used. This device is commonly used when assessing lubricity properties of oils and greases. The following normative lubricity parameters were defined: welding point Pz [daN], the value of last non-seizing load Pn [daN], seizing at smoothy growing load Pt [daN], as well as the wear limiting capacity load Goz [daN/mm2]. Furthermore, several non-normative tests were completed that covered indication of two parameters making it possible to complete an assessment of lubricity properties of oils. Based on the conducted research, it was found that hexagonal boron nitride is an additive that improves the lubricating properties of the base grease. The best effects of the improvement, taking into account the adopted tribological criteria, were noted for a sample containing 10% (m/m) hexagonal boron nitride with an average grain diameter of 65÷75 nm. It was found that the lower granulation of the additive (h-BN) positively influences the efficiency of the grease lubrication of the base, under the conditions of tests on a four-ball model apparatus. Keywords: tribology, lubricity, boron nitride, greases