Influence of Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC) on Tribological Properties of Aqueous Solutions of Alkyl Polyglucosides

Abstract

Here, the results of studies on the use of water-alkyl polyglucosides (APGs) compositions as lubricants carried out with steel ball-polyamide disc apparatus are presented. The range of values of CMC in aqueous solutions of two different mixtures of APG was determined on the basis of physicochemical properties. The results obtained showed that aqueous solutions of APGs were effective lubricants lowering the friction coefficient and wear. Increase in activity of APGs was observed above CMC in bulk phase. This was in compliance with our earlier results that, above CMC, the formation of the adsorption layer on the interface led to significant lowering of the friction coefficient and increase in the ability of friction nodes to transfer a load.

KEY WORDS:

• Friction Coefficient
• Water-Based Lubricants
• Surfactants
• Alkyl Polyglucosides
• Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This work was supported by the Polish Committee for Scientific Research in the years 2005–2006, Grant No. T07B 057 28. This work was done when one of the authors, Tomasz Wasilewski, was fellow of the Foundation for Polish Science.

Review led by Paul Bessette