Effect of Modified Nano Graphite on Conductivity and Lubrication of Environment-Friendly Lithium Grease

Abstract

Abstract An environment-friendly lithium complex grease was prepared using pentaerythritol ester as base oil, lithium compound soap as thickener, and Graphite modified by ionic liquid of different chain lengths as a lubricating additive. The dropping point, corrosion of the grease, and volume resistance were tested. MFT-R4000 high-speed reciprocating friction and wear tester was used to measure the tribological properties under current-carrying and non-carrying currents. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) and photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to observe the surface of the wear scar. The results show that the polyether base oil OSP680 grease has the best degradation ability and the strongest environmental protection ability. The modified nano-Graphite material can improve the wear resistance of the base grease and the conductivity of the base grease. Ionic liquid has a synergistic effect with nano-Graphite.