Experimental studies on tribological properties of RBD palm olein using copper pin

Abstract

Lubricants have an important role in world industrial and economic development, mainly by reducing friction and wear in mechanical contacts. In the last 25 years, there has been an increasing interest in the use of biodegradable products due to environmental problems that have increased the need to limit pollution from lubricants and hydraulic fluids based on mineral oils. Therefore, vegetable oils are potential substitutes for petroleum-based oils according to their lubricating properties such as a high viscosity index, high lubricity, and low volatility. Other than that, vegetable oils also are environmentally friendly, renewable and less toxic. Thus, in this research, the tribological properties of refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) palm olein were evaluated by determining the coefficient of friction, wear rate and wear scar diameter with different sliding speeds and applied loads. Besides that, the surface roughness and the surface wear of the cooper pin specimens were analysed lubricated with RBD palm olein for different sliding speeds and applied loads. The experiment is carried out by using pin-on-disk tester. The material used for pin specimen is copper and disk type SKD11. The lubricant used was supplied continuously on sliding surface of rotated disk at different sliding speeds from 1 m/s to 5 m/s and applied loads of 1 kg and 10 kg for one hour as recommended by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). From the analysis, the coefficient of friction and wear obtained lubricated with RBD palm olein was the lowest compared to SAE40 engine oil for both conditions of different sliding speeds and applied loads of 0.011 at 1 m/s for 10 kg load and 0.62 x10-5 mm3m-1 at 1 m/s for 1 kg load respectively. RBD palm olein shows better anti-friction and anti-wear performances compared to SAE40 engine oil in term of coefficient of friction and wear at different sliding speeds and applied loads. Therefore, palm oil has the possibility to be used as a lubricant by mating component.