Tribological Studies on AISI 1040 with Raw and Modified Versions of Pongam and Jatropha Vegetable Oils as Lubricants

Abstract

The friction and wear tests on AISI 1040 are carried out under raw, modified versions of two nonedible vegetable oils Pongam (Pongamia pinnata) and Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) and also commercially available mineral oil using a pin-on-disc tribometer for various sliding distances and loads. A significant drop in friction and wear for AISI 1040 is observed under Pongam and Jatropha raw oil compared to mineral oil, for the complete tested sliding distance and load, increasing the potential of vegetable oil for tribological applications. Stribeck curves are also drawn to understand the regimes of lubrication. Both the vegetable oils showed a clear reduction in the boundary lubrication regimes, leading to an early start of full film lubrication.