Evaluation of corrosion behaviour of biodegradable base oils using electrochemical techniques

Abstract

This paper describes an interesting attempt to quantitatively evaluate the corrosion behaviour of base oils using a novel approach based on electrochemical techniques. The present study evaluates the corrosion behaviour of biodegradable base oils with and without additives in an aqueous chloride solution using electrochemical measurements. Potentiodynamic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques were used to quantitatively determine the corrosion behaviour of these oils, and the results were compared to the conventional immersion tests. Both these electrochemical measurements were carried out in a three-electrode system where AS1020 mild steel alloy was used as a working electrode in a purpose made pipette cell. The results obtained from the electrochemical measurements help to evaluate the best biodegradable base oil for formulating eco-friendly industrial lubricants.

Keywords:

• Eco-friendly industrial lubricants
• AS1020 mild steel alloy
• Potentiodynamic polarisation
• Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Acknowledgement

BK is thankful to the management of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd Research & Development Centre and Deakin University for granting fellowship under Indian Oil Golden Jubilee Research Fellowship Programme and providing permission to publish this paper. MF gratefully acknowledges the ARC for support through an Australian Laureate Fellowship.