Tribological analysis of automotive material under wet lubrication condition using diesel, biodiesel and their blend

• Published in: IOP conference series. Materials Science and Engineering Vol. 1146; no. 1; pp. 12028 - 12037
• Main Authors: Chourasia, S K, Lakdawala, A M, Patel, R N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.05.2021
• Subjects: Alternative fuels; Aluminum; Automotive engines; Biodiesel fuels; Biofuels; Coefficient of friction; Diesel engines; Fatty acids; Friction; Iron constituents; Rapeseed; Tribology; Vegetable oils; Wear rate; Weight reduction
• DOI: 10.1088/1757-899X/1146/1/012028
• ISSN: 1757-8981

Abstract Biodiesel made from vegetable oil can be considered the best alternative fuel for a partial or complete diesel replacement. Earlier studies on biodiesel and its blends have proven that biofuels in the existing engine can be favorable for partial eradication of diesel from C.I. engines. Therefore, this study investigates the tribological impact of various biodiesels and diesel and their optimum blend at normal room conditions. The tribological analysis is performed on a pin-on-disc tribometer. During the tests, the coefficient of friction, friction force and wear of pins (Aluminium, Copper and Iron) were examined; apart from this, weight & volume loss of the metal pins were also investigated. The pin surfaces were characterized by surface microscopic analysis. Fuel constituents and fatty acid content were analyzed by GC-MS and FT-IR tests to understand the cause of tribological wear better. Castor and Rapeseed biodiesel show the lowest weight of pin in comparison to diesel. The wear rate of metals with diesel shows extreme rises in wear as the sliding distance increase. The coefficient of friction, friction force of pins was found to be highest in diesel, followed by biodiesel and their blend in almost every case.