• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.247-255
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• 2014

Charged polymer chains, i.e., polyelectrolytes, are known to show superior aqueous lubricating properties compared to those of neutral polymer chains, especially in brush conformation. This is primarily because of the incorporation of a large amount of counterions within the polymer layers and the consequently increased osmotic pressure. However, this effect is active only when the polymer chains remain immobilized even under tribostress, which is not realistic for high-contact pressure tribological applications, especially when they are irreversibly immobilized on tribopair surfaces. In contrast, with free polymers, which can be included as surface-active additives in the base lubricant (water), long-term lubricating performance based on "self-healing" properties is readily expected. In order to assess whether the superior aqueous lubricating properties of polyelectrolyte chains are valid for free polymers too, this study reviews recent studies on the tribological properties of many charged biopolymer and synthetic copolymers at a nonpolar, hydrophobic interface. In contrast to the irreversibly immobilized polyelectrolyte chains, free polyelectrolyte chains show inferior aqueous lubricating properties compared to their neutral counterparts owing to charge accumulation and the consequently impeded surface adsorption on the nonpolar surface. Nevertheless, bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM), a representative biopolymer, shows a sufficiently effective surface adsorption and aqueous lubricating capabilities even at neutral pH without losing the polyanionic characteristics.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.43-48
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• 2023

In this study, we investigate the tribological behavior of AISI 304 stainless steel pairs under deionized water and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) water dispersion lubrication. The specimen friction and wear properties are evaluated using a reciprocating ball-on-flat tribometer. The coefficient of friction remains nearly constant throughout the test under both lubricant conditions. The wear depth of the specimens under h-BN lubrication is smaller than that under deionized water lubrication, indicating the inhibition behavior of h-BN nanolubricants on direct metal-metal contacts. Optical micrographs and stylus profilometer measurements are performed to evaluate the severity of damage caused by the sliding motion and to determine the wear morphology of the specimens, respectively. The results show that h-BN nanolubricants does not have a significant effect on the friction behavior but demonstrates reduced wear owing to their trapping effect between the sliding interfaces. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy images of the specimens were acquired to confirm the trapping effect of h-BN between the sliding interfaces. The results also suggest that the trapped lubricants can distribute the contact pressure, reducing the wear damage caused by the metal-metal contact at the interface. In conclusion, h-BN nanolubricants have potential as an anti-wear additive for lubrication applications. Further investigation is needed to provide direct evidence of the trapping effect of h-BN nanoparticles between the sliding interfaces. These findings could lead to the development of more efficient and effective lubricants for various industrial applications.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.140-144
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• 2004

Water-lubrication ball bearings are required to install in aqueous medium where water is used as coolant or working fluid. However water-lubricated frictional characteristics of stainless steel ball bearing is not will known compared to oil-lubricated frictional characteristics. Furthermore study on friction at high temperature is rare because bearing maintenance strategy for water-lubricated or chemicals-lubricated bearings of equipment is mostly based on change of failed bearings and parts. Ball bearings and ball screws are used to transmit power in the control rod drive mechanism for an integral reactor and are lubricated with high temperature and high pressure chemically-controlled water. Bearings and power transmitting mechanical elements for a nuclear reactor require high reliability and high performance during estimated lifetime, and their performance should be verified. In this paper, experimental research results of frictional characteristics of water-lubricated ball bearing are reported.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.343-349
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• 2019

According to a report in 2011, hexagonal boron nitride demonstrated good solubility in pure water, even without surfactants or organic functionalization. Hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets are an effective lubricant additive, and their solubility in pure water has motivated lubrication engineers to utilize aqueous solutions containing these nanosheets as water-based lubricants. In this study, we measure the width and height of the hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets dispersed in pure water by using the Zetasizer and atomic force microscopy. Without surfactants or functionalization, aqueous solutions containing 0.10, 0.07, 0.05, and 0.01 wt% of hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets are synthesized via sonication-assisted hydrolysis. The Zetasizer provides only a one-dimensional size of approximately 410 nm, regardless of the concentration of the solution. Thus, it does not allow the estimation of the shape of the nanosheet. To acquire the three-dimensional size of the nanosheets, atomic force microscopy is employed. The aqueous solutions containing 0.10, 0.07, 0.05, and 0.01 wt% of the hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets show average values of 740, 450, 700, and 610 nm in width, and 37, 26, 33, and 32 nm in thickness, respectively. No significant trend is observed between the concentration of the solution and size of the nanosheets. Therefore, when preparing a water-based lubricant, it may be appropriate to adjust conditions such as ultrasonication time rather than the concentration.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.11 no.8
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• pp.679-684
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• 2001

The surface of natural graphite has not only good electrical conductivities and lubrication properties but also has strong hydrophobicity. There are no functional groups and chemical properties on it. It is difficult to join with any other ions and to disperse in aqueous system. In order to increase dispersion ability throughout modification of surface property, it is necessary to let graphite have some function on its surface by the adsorption of surfactant molecules. In this study, using zeta potential adsorbed surfactant molecules(ABDM) on graphite surface and its surface Properties turn hydrophobic into hydrophilic. The dispersing mechanism of graphite particles in aqueous system has been explained using the DLVO theory, It is concluded that the high dispersable graphite suspension of which dispersing stability$(T_{1/2})$ is 44.5 hours at pH 10 and 22.5mV zeta potential can be produced.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.96-102
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• 2002

This paper was studied on the wear-corrosion behavior of ductile cast iron in the acidic environment. In the dry atmosphere and variety of pH solution, wear-corrosion characteristics and friction coefficient of GCD 60 with various sliding speed and distance were investigated. And electrochemical polarization test of GCD 60 was examined in the environment of various pH value. The main results are as following : In the dry atmosphere, boundary friction appears below nearly 5 $kg_{f}$ of contact load, and it is considered that solid friction occurs over nearly 5 $kg_{f}$ of contact load. As pH value becomes low, wear-corrosion loss in the aqueous solution increases. As the corrosion environment is acidified, corrosion potential of GCD 60 becomes noble, polarization resistance becomes low, and corrosion current density increases.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.285-290
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• 2008

Various methods (OECD 301B, ISO 9439 and ASTM 5864) for biodegradability test of lubricants were reviewed, and a standard procedure was developed. Most lubrication products are released in rivers or sea then is degraded by microbial action in aerobic condition. Most international method are based on $CO_2$ evolution test. Inoculum obtained from a sewage disposal plant and test compound are cultivated in a mineral medium. Organic carbon of the test compound is degraded and oxidized through the enzymatic actions of inoculum, and ultimately mineralized to carbon dioxide. Biodegradability test conditions of lubricant oils were optimized. The highest biodegradability was achieved when the same medium as in ASTM 5864 and inoculum concentration of $10^4{\sim}10^5$ cell/L were used. The optimum standard materials were selected as aniline and sodium acetate. Additionally the effects of inoculum type on microbial growth and biodegradability were examined. Finally the standard operating procedure (SOP) for biodegradability test method was proposed.