Tribological investigations of trimethylolpropane trioleate bio-based lubricants

Abstract

Purpose The screening of lube oil performance prior to field trials is the most significant for the formulation of novel lubricants. This paper aims to investigate the efficacy of trimethylolpropane trioleate oil (TMPTO) based lubricants with different additives. Design/methodology/approach In this endeavor, initially five lubricating blends along-with TMPTO based oil with variable additives were evaluated for their tribological performances using ASTM standards. Out of these, the top three best-performing oils were further investigated for possible physical or chemical synergies among lube oils, additives and ball surface using SEM. The molecule structures of TMPTO based lube oils were confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Findings The wear preventive and extreme pressure characteristics of different TMPTO based samples were evaluated and compared for compatibility and synergy of additives. Morphological analysis of SEM images was used to understand the wear behavior of the worn surfaces. Practical implications Further investigation of TMPTO oil on its oxidation stability at high temperature and pressure to make it technologically competitive and commercially viable metal-working lubricant is suggested. Originality/value This paper highlights the tribo-effects of TMPTO to be rendered as a suitable lubricant for metal-cutting operations. The surface morphology of the worn-out surface significantly demonstrates the effect of loading conditions.

Prospects of Plant-Based Trimethylolpropane Esters in the Biolubricant Formulation for Various Applications: A Review

“…The research study revealed that the formulation of 88.8% HO-TMPE base oil with 5% high molecular polymer ester GY-25, 1% alkyl phosphate 360-P (extreme pressure, EP and anti-wear AW), and 5% L5333 (a sulfurized vegetable oil with 10 wt% active sulfur as a lubricity improver) and 0.2% KSP-93 (triazole derivative as a metal passivator) additives, had potential as MWF for heavy-duty applications in hard metals such as stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, and hastealloy ® . Other research studies that had used high oleic palm oil-based TMPE with synergy of additives such as nanoparticles and ionic liquids also revealed its technological competitiveness and commercially viable MWF (Sani et al, 2017;Kathamore and Bachchhav, 2021).…”

Wear behavior of environment friendly trimethylolpropane trioleate-based lubricant

“…Effect of surface roughness on the coefficient of friction under different regimes of “Stribeck Curve” have been studied experimentally using pin-on-disk to control an oil film thickness to achieve desired lubrication regime (Bachchhav and Bagchi, 2021). Tribological behavior of different vegetable oils were evaluated for its applicability as a potential metal-working fluids (Georgescu et al , 2018; Dykha and Kuzmenko, 2015; Heikal et al , 2017; Huang et al , 2006; Kathamore and Bachchhav, 2021a, 2021b; Sadriwala et al , 2020). A contact wear mechanism from worn-out surfaces of steel balls under lubricated condition was evaluated during four-ball tests (Dykha and Kuzmenko, 2015).…”

“…A contact wear mechanism from worn-out surfaces of steel balls under lubricated condition was evaluated during four-ball tests (Dykha and Kuzmenko, 2015). Synergistic effect of additive and performance evaluation of an appropriate lube oil pertaining to the metal working process have been conducted (Kathamore and Bachchhav, 2019, 2021a, 2021b; Kathamore et al , 2020; Mahmud, 2019).…”

“…Shafi et al (2021) studied an impact of different fatty acids on thermophysical and tribological properties of bio-based lubricants. Plant oils are available in the edible and nonedible forms, and their rheological properties made them superior to become a replacement for traditional oil (Dykha and Kuzmenko, 2015; Kathamore and Bachchhav, 2019, 2021a, 2021b; Kathamore et al , 2020; Shafi and Charoo, 2021a, 2021b). These characteristics of plant-based oils enable them to use as lubricants.…”

“…These characteristics of plant-based oils enable them to use as lubricants. Chemically modified oils showed good compatibility with an additive to use as a specialty lubricant (Kathamore et al , 2020; Kathamore and Bachchhav, 2021a, 2021b). Shafi and Charoo (2021a, 2021b) investigated as the effect of zinc dialkyldithiophosphates (ZDDP) additive blended with hazelnut oil and avocado oil on anti-wear (AW) and extreme-pressure (EP) properties and found significant improvement in AW characteristics of lube oil.…”