Tribological performance of peek with green lubricant enhanced by nano hexagonal boron nitride powder

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate applicability of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) powder as a solid lubricant additive in coconut oil and to determine the tribological behavior of PEEK rubbed with DIN2080 tool steel, under prepared green lubricating condition. Design/methodology/approach In this study, tiribological performance of PEEK against the DIN2080 tool steel is investigated with green lubricant. Coconut oil was used as green lubricant and 4 per cent wt. h-BN powder was added as lubricant additive into the coconut oil. Reciprocal pin-plate tribological test were applied under dry, coconut oil and coconut oil+h-BN lubrication condition. Friction coefficients were recorded and wear behavior of the samples investigated by mass loss measurement and topographical inspection of wear track by optical profilometer. Findings Using coconut oil as lubricant provided 80 per cent reduction of friction coefficient and 33.4 per cent reduction of wear rate. Addition of h-BN into the coconut oil provide 84 per cent reduction of friction coefficient and 56 per cent reduction of wear rate. The results showed that vegetable oil is promising lubricant for sustainable manufacturing. h-BN serves to increase lubricant performance and decrease wear of the surfaces. Practical implications Petrochemical lubricants are one of the major sources of environmental pollution and health hazards. Development and use of environmental and health friendly lubricants support sustainability and reduce wear, friction and energy consumption. With this consciousness, recent studies have focused on green tribology and green lubricants such as vegetable oils, ionic liquid bio-lubricants and bio-based polymers. Originality/value In literature study coconut oil was proposed as green lubricant while h-BN powder was proposed as solid lubricant. However, applicability of h-BN powder in coconut oil has not been explored yet. Moreover, wear and friction property of PEEK material with DIN 2080 tool steel pair surface has not been studied yet with green lubricants.