Tribology study on modified jatropha oil with an ionic liquid additive as metal cutting fluids

What is it about?

This paper presents the effectiveness of a fully oil-miscible Ionic liquid (IL) as lubricant additive into Jatropha-based lubricant (MJO). Methyltrioctylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (AIL) was selected as IL additive to improve the tribological performance of the biobased lubricant. The additive was mixed into the MJO at three levels of mass concentrations (1, 5 & 10 wt.%). Tribology tests on steel/steel contacts were conducted to evaluate the lubricant samples. Test outputs were benchmarked against the neat bio-based lubricant. Results revealed the good synergistic effect of the AIL additive blended into the bio-based lubricant. MJO+AIL10 % has shown good corrosion inhibition, superior friction reduction (48 %), lower worn surface area (23 %), excellent surface finish (46 %) and increased tapping torque efficiency (8 %). MJO+AIL10 % provided excellent tribological performances which correspond to the energy saving and environmental benefit for sustainable machining applications.

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Why is it important?

The use of vegetable oils as metalworking fluids is one way to implement manufacturing sustainability. Jatropha oils are found to be the new potential vegetable-based lubricant from non-edible sources. Further, Jatropha oil is highly biodegradable, does not require high production cost and provide good lubrication ability compared to mineral oil-based cutting fluids. Therefore, the potential use of Jatropha oil as a functional lubricant for future replacement of petroleum-based oil is indeed important.

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