Effect of electromagnetic field on tribological properties of two lubricating oils containing zinc dithiophosphate
Industrial Lubrication and Tribology
ISSN: 0036-8792
Article publication date: 29 June 2018
Issue publication date: 9 July 2018
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims at understanding tribological properties of lubricating oils doped with zinc dithiophosphate(ZDDP) with and without electromagnetic field impact.
Design/methodology/approach
The friction and wear properties of the oils formulated with zinc butyloctyl dithiophosphate (T202) or zinc dioctyl dithiophosphate (T203) under electromagnetic field or nonelectromagnetic field were evaluated on a modified four-ball tribotester. The characteristics of the worn surfaces obtained from electromagnetic or nonelectromagnetic field conditions were analyzed by scanning electronic microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This paper focuses on understanding influence of electromagnetic field on lubrication effect of the ZDDP-formulated oils.
Findings
The electromagnetic field could effectively facilitate anti-wear and friction-reducing properties of the oils doped with T202 or T203 as compared to those without electromagnetism affection, and the T203-doped oils were more susceptible to the electromagnetic field. The improvement of anti-wear and friction-reducing abilities of the tested oils were mainly attributed to the promoted tribochemical reactions and the modification of the worn surfaces (forming Zn-Fe solid solution) induced by the electromagnetic field.
Originality/value
This paper has revealed that tribological performances of ZDDP-doped oils could be improved by the electromagnetic field and discussed its lubrication mechanisms. Investigating tribological properties of additives from the viewpoint of electromagnetics is a new attempt, which has significance not only for the choose and designing of additives in electromagnetic condition but also for development of tribological theories and practices.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author gratefully acknowledges the financial support provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project No.51375491) and the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing (Project No.CSTC, 2014JCYJAA50021) and the Young Found of Logistical Engineering university (No.YQ16-420801).
Citation
Jiang, Z., Fang, J., Chen, F., Chen, B. and Gu, K. (2018), "Effect of electromagnetic field on tribological properties of two lubricating oils containing zinc dithiophosphate", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 70 No. 5, pp. 878-887. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-01-2017-0004
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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