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Effect of thermal activation on the tribological behaviors of muscovite particles as lubricant additives in lithium grease

Pengfei Du (Department of Oil Application and Management Engineering, Logistical Engineering University, Chongqing, China)
G.X. Chen (Department of Oil Application and Management Engineering, Logistical Engineering University, Chongqing, China)
Shiyuan Song (Department of Oil Application and Management Engineering, Logistical Engineering University, Chongqing, China)
Jiang Wu (Department of Oil Application and Management Engineering, Logistical Engineering University, Chongqing, China)
Kechen Gu (Department of Oil Application and Management Engineering, Logistical Engineering University, Chongqing, China)
Dachuan Zhu (College of Material Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China)
Jin Li (Air Force Oil Research Institute, Beijing, China)

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology

ISSN: 0036-8792

Article publication date: 9 April 2018

92

Abstract

Purpose

The tribological properties of muscovite and its thermal-treated products as lubricant additives in lithium grease were investigated. The effect of thermal temperature on the crystal structure and tribological properties of muscovite was studied. This study aims to explore the tribological mechanism of muscovite and optimize a proper thermal activation temperature, thus further improving the tribological properties.

Design/methodology/approach

The crystal structure of muscovite samples was characterized by SEM, TG-DSC, XRD and FTIR. The tribological properties of grease samples were investigated using a four-ball tribotester and the worn surface was analyzed by SEM and EDS.

Findings

The excellent tribological properties of muscovite can be ascribed to the layer structure and lubricant film formed on the worn surface. Thermal temperature at 500-600°C increases the surface activity and oxygen releasing capability, and thus favors the formation of lubricant film and accordingly further improves the tribological properties. However, the layer structure is destroyed and hard phases such as alumina and amorphous appear after thermal temperature activated beyond 1000°C, as it results in the aggravation of friction and wear.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, it is the first to study the effect of thermal temperature on the crystal structure and tribological properties of muscovite. The tribological mechanism of muscovite particle and its thermal-treated products was disclosed.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This research was supported Postdoctoral Science Foundation of Chongqing (XM2013018) and young found of Logistical Engineering University.

Citation

Du, P., Chen, G.X., Song, S., Wu, J., Gu, K., Zhu, D. and Li, J. (2018), "Effect of thermal activation on the tribological behaviors of muscovite particles as lubricant additives in lithium grease", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 70 No. 3, pp. 538-543. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-11-2016-0288

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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