Abstract:
The environmental concerns associated with artificially formulated engine oils have forced a shift towards bio-based lubricants. Biolubricants, which are obtained from biological sources such as vegetable oils, animal fats, and other renewable feedstocks, have gained significant interest in recent few years to substitute traditional lubricant base oils due to their biodegradeability. These biodegradable and non-toxic lubricants propose the advantage of being derived from sustainable resources, thereby minimizing the environmental and carbon footprint associated with lubrication processes. The research work presented in this thesis was undertaken to practically investigate and compare the wear and friction performance of a possible future generation of an environmentally friendly bio-based lubricant as a potential replacement for conventional engine lubricants. In this research work, Computer Controlled Friction and Wear testing machine also called reciprocating tribometer is used for experimental testing procedure of all the lubricants. This research work will focus on improving the tribological performance of bio-based oils by adding Nano-additives and its performance will be compared against PAO and simple biolubricant (WCO). The main aim and objective of this research work is to compare the tribological performance of different lubricants including biolubricant and nano based biolubricants at various loads like 10N, 20N and 30N and at room temperature. The nano additives which were used in this study were Copper Oxide (CuO), Zinc Oxide (ZnO), Titanium Dioxide (TiO2), and Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2). Tribological performances of all lubricants were compared to check which lubricant reduce friction and wear and give better COF. After all the testing procedure, comprehensive wear analysis performed through digital 3D Olympus microscope to quantify wear volume, depth, and the identification of wear types such as abrasive and adhesive wear. Additionally, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging is used to examine the tribofilm formation, wear patterns, and surface scars at microstructural levels. In the end, Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) was employed for elemental analysis and compositional explanation on sample surface after the testing.
Keywords: Biolubricant, Nano based Biolubricant, Nanolubricants , Nanoadditives, Tribological performance, Friction and wear, Lubrication , Carbon footprints, Environmental effects, Friction and wear analysis , SEM , EDS.
