Abstract:
The use of improvers of viscosity index mixed with engine oil to enhance film thickness of lubricant, have been tribologically studied by the optical interferometry technique. The viscosity index improvers (PTFE and MoS2) effect on the mixed engine oil, were experimentally studied and compared with benchmark engine oil without added viscosity improvers. The outcome of the improvers, rolling velocity and contact pressure on the engine oil film formation in a steel ball, loaded on a flat glass surface in point contact, was investigated. The two-beam light source optical interferometry principle was used in this experiment. The Hamrock and Dowson's numerical methods for EHL film formation was compared with the tribo-test results. The base engine oil for this study is SAE 30 while PTFE and MoS2 powdered lubricants were blended with the engine oil. The viscosities of the lubricants ranged from 0.0109 Pa s to 0.255 Pa s. The rolling speed and the loads were distinctly selected between 0.189 m/s to 0.641 m/s and 1 N to 2.6 N, respectively. The steady and rolling state was used to evaluate the stability of the film thickness at contact point. The viscosity improvers were observed to have significant positive influence on the film thickness behaviour.
