Simulating tribological characteristics of Palm Methyl Ester (PME) lubricated contact

Abstract

The study simulates the lubricant Stribeck curve for Palm Methyl Ester (PME) by coupling modified Reynolds solution with Greenwood and Tripp's rough surface contact model. The predicted lubricant Stribeck curves for PME is validated with measured data from a pin-on-disc tribometer. The Reynolds equation is modified to accommodate for the lubricant properties of PME (e.g. viscosity and density), which is mathematically described using Gibbs energy additivity approach. Solving the modified Reynolds equation would then provide the fluid film formation behaviour of PME, such as the contact pressure and film thickness. These fluid film parameters are then used as the input to determine the boundary and viscous friction of the investigated lubricated contact using Greenwood and Tripp's rough surface contact model. The proposed mathematical solution correlates well with experimental data and is shown to be capable of predicting lubricant Stribeck, capturing the frictional behavior for the whole range of lubrication regimes. The findings of the present study prepare for a mathematical foundation to further explore the use of biodiesel as an alternative biodegradable lubricant to mineral-based ones.