Evaluation of tribological properties of Ceiba pentandra (kapok) seed oil as an alternative lubricant
Abstract
Purpose
The decrease in availability of mineral oils and their environmental hazards created the need to search for alternate bio-based oils. The aim of this study is to investigate the friction and wear characteristics of kapok (Ceiba pentandra) oil as a bio-lubricant.
Design/methodology/approach
The wear and friction characteristics between steel-steel contact under lubrication were found using a pin-on-disk tribometer under different loads and sliding speeds, respectively. The corrosion and oxidation stability of the test lubricants were also analyzed. The worn surfaces of the specimen are analyzed with the help of an optical microscope. The obtained results were compared with palm oil and mineral oil (SAE20W 40).
Findings
From the investigation, it is found that the kapok oil possess a lower coefficient of friction and wear rate than palm and mineral oil. It is also found that the coefficient of friction varies proportionally and the wear rate varies inversely with the sliding speed as expected.
Originality/value
The present results confirm that the kapok oil can be used as an alternative lubricant to reduce the demand for mineral-based oil lubricants.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author acknowledges The Institution of Engineers India IE (I), for providing the necessary financial support to carry out this research work through R&D Scheme (RDPG2016070).
Citation
Shankar, S., Manikandan, M. and Raja, G. (2018), "Evaluation of tribological properties of
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited