Sclero-topometry Metrology in Valorisation of Waste Oil for Micro-machining of Ductile Cast Iron

Abstract

During the time, the specific characteristics and the efficient lifetime of oil progressively decrease, due to complex pollution, ultimately making the oil unsuitable for the initial applications. The strategy to regenerate and to valorise waste oils is investigated using improved combinations of sclerometric and topometric tests on ductile nodular cast iron. Tribo-abrasive tests are performed in critical conditions, with base oil, waste oil and regenerated oil, of similar viscosities in order to discriminate their interfacial performances. The forms of the scratch traces indicate wear resistance and tendency to elasto-plastic deformation. The mechanisms of deformation and frictional behaviours were evaluated using optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy and measured for various tribological conditions with tactile and optical profilometry. The Energy Dispersive X ray Spectroscopy completes the chemical superficial distribution of pertinent elements. The surface topography metrology is used to characterize the scratch profiles and to determine the volume of the displaced and removed material, as well as maximum pit height. The originality of this paper is that it is a unique approach specifically devoted to transformer oil concerning tribological conditions.

Fundamentals of ductile cast iron scuffing at the boundary lubrication regime

“…Ductile cast irons and austempered cast irons (ADI) have recently appeared as significant engineering materials capable of meeting these kinds of features. Due to their specific combination of high strength, toughness, ductility, machinability and fatigue and wear resistance, they have been used in many industries -also in dependable tribological applications [11][12][13]. Irrespective of the good mechanical properties of DCI, it is necessary to pay attention to its specific tribological behaviour [14].…”