Knowledge

Using the unique features of the USV, researchers were able to clearly quantify the permanent shear thinning of high molecular weight polymer solutions.  Further investigations using a standard GPC process (gel permeation chromatography) revealed that the polymer breakdown process is very different at low and high polymer concentrations. The paper finally put to rest the argument whether it is the applied shear rate or shear stress which determines shear thinning (spoiler alert: it’s the shear stress).

Open Access Link:
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11249-017-0888-7.pdf

Cutting edge MTM nanoparticle research carried out at the highly respected Carpick laboratory. The paper showed how relatively large nanoparticle of Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), combined with organic capping ligands can form robust tribofilms under a wide range of contact conditions. Impressively significant   wear reduction was also reported when the nanoparticles were blended in commercial formulations.

Open Access Link:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11249-020-01346-1

The article studies the friction coefficient in elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) by means of analytically obtained equations for different contact geometries. The introduction of some simplifications allows for the simultaneous consideration of piezoviscous, pseudoplastic and thermal phenomena, resulting in complete and realistic models, which provide results in a quick and easy manner. The predictive potential of this analytical approach is analyzed by comparing the estimates of friction with full-EHL simulations and experimental data under different operating conditions. The results obtained allow us to discuss the influence of some assumptions taken into account and the scope of applicability of the models, in order to determine their usefulness and limitations.

Keywords: elastohydrodynamic lubrication; friction; analytical; pressure-viscosity coefficient

Scuffing is becoming a quite common failure mode in gears and bearings. It has been shown that AW/EP additives are effective in preventing scuffing, but only if they are able to form a thick tribofilm before encountering severe scuffing-type conditions. This study has employed a contra-rotating, step-sliding speed scuffing test to explore the impact of PMAs on the ability of ZDDP and a commercial SP additive-containing package to prevent scuffing when subjected to immediately severe conditions. It is found that some PMAs can greatly enhance the anti-scuffing performance of these AW/EP additives. They do this by forming thick, adsorbed boundary films that can withstand high speed sliding conditions and protect the rubbing surfaces long enough for tribofilms to form.

Keywords: Scuffing, Tribofilm, PMA, ZDDP

Phospholipids and hyaluronan are two key biomolecules that contribute to the excellent lubrication of articular joints. Phospholipids alone and in combination with hyaluronan have also displayed low friction forces on smooth surfaces in micro- and nanosized tribological contacts. In an effort to develop aqueous-based lubrication systems, it is highly relevant to explore if these types of molecules also are able to provide efficient lubrication of macroscopic tribological contacts involving surfaces with roughness larger than the thickness of the lubricating layer. To this end, we investigated the lubrication performance of hyaluronan, the phospholipid 1,2-dipalmitoyl-snglycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC), and mixtures of these two components using glass surfaces in a mini-traction machine. We compared our data with those obtained using flat silica surfaces in previous atomic force microscopy studies, and we also highlighted insights on hyaluronan–phospholipid interactions gained from recent simulations. Our data demonstrate that hyaluronan alone does not provide any lubricating benefit, but DPPC alone and in mixtures with hyaluronan reduces the friction force by an order of magnitude.

Keywords: phospholipid; hyaluronan; mini-traction machine; lubrication; friction

The mechanical properties of oils are determined using test methods. There are standardized test methods for determining viscosity and density. The characterization of transmission oil based on its dynamic viscosity alone is not sufficient for the physical explanation of different levels of noise emissions in vehicle transmissions. For this reason, the test procedure for determining the coefficient of friction is used in the following to enable a further differentiation between the oils according to mechanical properties.
In gear transmissions with involute gear teeth, rolling friction occurs in the gear pair meshing along the line of action due to the variation in the equivalent curvature radii throughout the meshing cycle. This is rolling friction on which a sliding friction component, so-called slip, is superimposed. Pure rolling friction only occurs in the pitch point. From the pitch point to the start and end of the meshing, there is a superimposed sliding friction component that increases with increasing distance from the pitch point. Slip values occur in the range of 5–50% depending on tooth geometry.
These friction conditions during tooth flank lubrication can be assessed using the Stribeck curve. The Stribeck curve represents the coefficient of friction as a function of the speed. A mini traction machine from PCS Instruments with a ball/plate measurement setup was used to determine the coefficient of friction behavior of gear oils. This allows the coefficient of friction of an oil to be assessed at low speeds in the range from boundary and mixed friction to elastohydrodynamic fluid friction at high speeds.
The investigations show that the coefficient of friction behavior of a gear oil depends on the oil viscosity and above all on the chemical composition. The lower the coefficient of friction, the less energy is required to shear the lubricating film and the lower the power transmission through the fluid. The coefficient of friction is a property that is dominated by the type of base oil and the type of VI improver in the area of mixed and fluid friction, especially with additional sliding in contact.
It will be shown in the paper that the use of a gear oil that has been optimized with regard to the coefficient of friction curve can reduce the entry impacts of meshing gear pairs under vibration excitation and the gear transmission thus generates lower noise emissions.

The possible application of beef tallow as a biolubricant by improving its physicochemical properties through chemical modification has been explored. The unsaturated fatty acid chain of the regular beef tallow (RBT) was alkylated with isopropyl groups in the presence of ethylaluminum sesquichloride. The alkyl-branched beef tallow (BBT) was characterized using a combination of various analytical techniques, including gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). GC–MS and NMR results indicate complete saturation (>95%) of the RBT double bonds with the attachment of isopropyl groups. GPC indicates the presence of oligomers in BBT. The physicochemical and tribological properties of the RBT and BBT as well as their blends with polyalphaolefin (PAO-6) or high-oleic sunflower oil (HOSuO) were evaluated. BBT has better oxidative stability than RBT, due to the elimination of the unsaturation. The introduction of alkyl groups into beef tallow led to improved low-temperature properties compared to RBT, both as neat materials and as blends in HOSuO or PAO-6. The BBT also displayed higher density (0.9030 vs 0.8969 g/mL) and kinematic viscosity (112.7 vs 44.2 mm2/s) than the RBT, possibly due to the presence of oligomers. The introduction of branching was also accompanied by higher solubility in HOSuO and POA-6, but a lower viscosity index (186 vs 149). Both RBT and BBT displayed good lubricity as HOSuO and were effective at improving PAO-6 lubricity at low concentrations (5 wt %). This study indicates that introducing branching into RBT produces new biobased materials, which can be blended into lubricants with improved properties.

Friction plays a major role in contributing to the global energy consumptions and reducing it would bring about major economic and environmental advantages. Organic friction modifiers are cost-effective and environmentally friendly additives which are included in the lubricant packages to improve performances. Their friction-reducing properties are connected to their adsorption state on steel surfaces. This study applies Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy (IRRAS) to probe the oleic acid tribofilm on microscopic areas of the sample (micro-IRRAS). The recorded spectra are interpreted by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and provide useful information about the effect of the tribological phenomena on the adsorption state and molecular orientation of the oleic acid friction modifier. The oleic acid molecules adsorb on the surface forming both monodentate and bridging configurations on the iron atoms. IRRAS data show that under the effect of friction the molecules tilt towards the steel surface.

The mechanical properties of oils are determined using test methods. There are standardized test methods for determining viscosity and density. The characterization of transmission oil based on its dynamic viscosity alone is not sufficient for the physical explanation of different levels of noise emissions in vehicle transmissions. For this reason, the test procedure for determining the coefficient of friction is used in the following to enable a further differentiation between the oils according to mechanical properties.

In gear transmissions with involute gear teeth, rolling friction occurs in the gear pair meshing along the line of action due to the variation in the equivalent curvature radii throughout the meshing cycle. This is rolling friction on which a sliding friction component, so-called slip, is superimposed. Pure rolling friction only occurs in the pitch point. From the pitch point to the start and end of the meshing, there is a superimposed sliding friction component that increases with increasing distance from the pitch point. Slip values occur in the range of 5–50% depending on tooth geometry.

These friction conditions during tooth flank lubrication can be assessed using the Stribeck curve. The Stribeck curve represents the coefficient of friction as a function of the speed. A mini traction machine from PCS Instruments with a ball/plate measurement setup was used to determine the coefficient of friction behavior of gear oils. This allows the coefficient of friction of an oil to be assessed at low speeds in the range from boundary and mixed friction to elastohydrodynamic fluid friction at high speeds.