Well-Dispersed Graphene Enhanced Lithium Complex Grease Toward High-Efcient Lubrication

Graphene as a lubricating additive holds great potential for industrial lubrication. However, its poor dispersity and compatibility with base oils and grease hinder maximizing performance. Here, the infuence of graphene dispersion on the thickening efect and lubrication function is considered. A well-dispersed lubricant additive was obtained via trihexyl tetradecyl phosphonium bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate modifed graphene ([P_(66614)][DEHP]-G). Then lithium complex grease was prepared by saponifcation with 12-OH stearic acid, sebacic acid, and lithium hydroxide, using polyalphaolefn (PAO20) as base oil and the modifed-graphene as lubricating additive, with the original graphene as a comparison. The physicochemical properties and lubrication performance of the as-prepared greases were evaluated in detail. The results show that the as-prepared greases have high dropping point and colloidal stability. Furthermore, modifed-graphene lithium complex grease ofered the best friction reduction and anti-wear abilities, manifesting the reduction of friction coefcient and wear volume up to 18.84% and 67.34%, respectively. With base oil overfow and afux, well-dispersed [P_(66614)][DEHP]-G was readily adsorbed to the worn surfaces, resulting in the formation of a continuous and dense graphene deposition flm. The synergy of deposited graphene-flm, spilled oil, and adhesive grease greatly improves the lubrication function of grease. This research paves the way for modulating high-performance lithium complex grease to reduce the friction and wear of movable machinery.

Conductivity and tribological properties of IL-PANI/WS_(2) composite material in lithium complex grease

An ionic liquid-polyaniline/tungsten disulfide(IL-PANI/WS_(2))composite was synthesized in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazole tetrafluoroborate(LB104)aqueous solution by in-situ polymerization and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.A current-carrying friction and wear tester was used to study the tribological properties of steel-steel and copper-copper friction pairs lubricated by an IL-PANI/WS_(2) lithium complex grease(LCG).After the experiment,scanning electron microscope was used to observe the surface morphology of the wear scar on the steel and copper plates,and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer was used to analyze the elemental composition of the wear scar surface.The results show that compared with greases containing IL-PANI and WS_(2),greases containing IL-PANI/WS_(2) exhibit better antiwear performance when lubricating steel-steel friction pairs and better tribological performance and electrical conductivity when lubricating copper-copper friction pairs.Therefore,it can be concluded that WS_(2) and IL-PANI have a synergistic effect.

Comparative study on corrosion resistance and lubrication function of lithium complex grease and polyurea grease

In this study,lithium complex grease(LCG)and polyurea grease(PUG)were synthesized using mineral oil(500 SN)and polyalphaolefin(PAO40)as base oil,adsorbed onto lithium complex soap and polyurea as thickeners,respectively.The effects of grease formulation(thickener and base oil with different amounts(80,85,and 90 wt%)on the corrosion resistance and lubrication function were investigated in detail.The results have verified that the as-prepared greases have good anti-corrosion ability,ascribed to good salt-spray resistance and sealing function.Furthermore,the increase in the amount of base oil reduces the friction of the contact interface to some extent,whereas the wear resistance of these greases is not consistent with the friction reduction,because the thickener has a significant influence on the tribological property of greases,especially load-carrying capacity.PUG displays better physicochemical performance and lubrication function than LCG under the same conditions,mainly depending on the component/structure of polyurea thickener.The polyurea grease with 90 wt%PAO displays the best wear resistance owing to the synergistic lubrication of grease-film and tribochemical film,composed of Fe_(2)O_(3),FeO(OH),and nitrogen oxide.