Experimental Analysis of Wear and Friction Characteristics of Jatropha Oil Added Lubricants

Abstract

This study examines the experimental results of wear and friction characteristics using normal lubricant and jatropha oil (JO) added lubricants. The experiments are performed using a four-ball tribotester with standard test method ASTM D 4172. This simple test consists of a device by means of which a ball bearing is rotated in contact with three fixed ball bearings that are immersed in the sample. Different loads are applied to the balls weights on a load lever that gives a correlative pressure act similar to the one in the piston cylinder frictional zone. The data presented to evaluate friction and wear characteristics are coefficient of friction (μ), wear scar diameter (WSD), flash temperature parameter (FTP) and viscosity index (VI). Each test was conducted for two different loads (15 kg and 40 kg) to observe the variation of above parameters. All tests were carried out at 75 °C and speed 1200 rpm respectively for one hour. The normal lubricant (0% JO) was used for comparison purposes. The test results show that 5% JO added lubricant has over all good influences in reducing wear and friction coefficient. The objective of this investigation is to develop a new lubricant based on biofuel added lubricant (such as jatropha oil), which can also be used for biofuel fueled IC engines. The promising results have been presented with discussions.