Tribological Properties of Greases Based on Biogenic Base Oils and Traditional Thickeners in Sapphire-Steel Contact

Abstract

Friction and wear tests were performed with a number of greases based on biogenic esters and thickened with two metal soaps and a highly dispersed silica acid gel. The series of experiments was performed on a Nonotribometer in material combination of sapphire ball on steel disks with a range of normal loads from 1 up to 500 mN. Results directly show influences of the bulk grease components on frictional and wear behavior. Comparison of frictional and wear results makes manifest that, while in most combinations of base oil and thickener, the highest influence is found in the thickening agent, some combinations are mainly influenced by the base oil. All frictional results along with wear widths and depths as well as micrographs of the prevailing wear mechanisms are presented and discussed.