Surfactant controlled lubricity of paraffin oil-based nano-emulsion

ABSTRACT

Oil-in-water emulsions are used as metalworking fluids (MWFs). Considering the environmental issues and operator's health, the amount of oil-in-MWFs is one of the important parameters. In the present study, paraffin oil is used for emulsion formulation and possibilities to minimize the amount of paraffin oil-in-MWFs are explored. Physical characterization of emulsions is done using dynamic light scattering and goniometer. The tribological response of emulsions is recorded using the Four-ball tester. Results indicate that the amount of oil can be brought down to a level of 0.5% v/v to achieve the standard friction level. Droplet size and distribution seems to control the lubricity of emulsions, smaller droplets are desired for better lubrication.

KEYWORDS:

• Boundary lubrication
• metalworking fluid
• nano-tribology
• lubricant additives

Acknowledgements

The authors greatly appreciate the support provided by the Industrial Tribology, Machine Dynamics and Maintenance Engineering Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Deepak Kumar http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0762-365X

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.