Effects of polymers concentration on EHL film-forming in point contacts
Industrial Lubrication and Tribology
ISSN: 0036-8792
Article publication date: 17 February 2021
Issue publication date: 14 May 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to experimentally investigate the film-forming capability of base oils containing poly-methacrylate (PMA) and poly-isobutene (PIB), in a point contact under pure rolling.
Design/methodology/approach
By using the relative light intensity method, the film thickness is calculated from the interferometer images which are captured by multiple-contact optical elastohydrodynamic lubricated test rig.
Findings
The test results reveal that polymers, both PMA and PIB, have a significant contribution to the film-forming capability of base oils and the film thickness increases with concentration. The forming-film capabilities for PMA and PIB in base oils are similar at low concentration, while PIB gives a higher film thickness than PMA at high concentration. Shear-thinning phenomenon are observed in all polymer-based oils.
Originality/value
The polymer usually as an additive is added into the low viscosity base oils to improve the properties of lubricant oil. This paper reports the lubricated properties of PMA and PIB with different concentrations in base oils and to evaluate their functional mechanism in a point contact.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-07-2020-0263/
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work was carried out with financial supports from the national 12th 5-year project of P.R. China for science and technology under contract No. D.50–0109-15–001. The author would acknowledge Dr Zhijian Wang of Changzhou University, P.R. China for valuable suggestions.
Citation
Qiu, L., Chen, X. and Dong, F. (2021), "Effects of polymers concentration on EHL film-forming in point contacts", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 73 No. 3, pp. 436-442. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-07-2020-0263
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited