Synthetic aluminium complex grease: A tribological evaluation using a four‐ball test

Abstract

AbstractThis paper describes the preparation and performance evaluation of a synthetic aluminium complex grease. The aluminium complex grease was prepared in situ by reacting stearic acid and benzoic acid in the presence of a synthetic base oil, polyalphaolefin. The preparation of the soap (aluminium benzoate stearate hydroxide) was monitored using Fourier transform infrared. Two different extreme‐pressure additives blended with the prepared aluminium complex grease were evaluated for their extreme‐pressure activity in four‐ball and Timken tests. These greases exhibited higher Timken OK loads (60 lb), lower values of wear‐scar diameter at higher loads, and higher values of weld load in the four‐ball test than the aluminium complex grease without additive. The blended greases were also found to pass rust and corrosion, oxidation‐stability, and shear‐stability tests. The topography of the specimens after four‐ball testing was studied with scanning electron microscopy.