Lubricant-surface system mitigating in-cylinder friction
Lead Research Organisation:
Loughborough University
Department Name: Wolfson Sch of Mech, Elec & Manufac Eng
Abstract
The emerging modern approach to tribology of load bearing surfaces is to treat the
conjunction as a lubricant-surface system. This is contrary to the traditional non-integrated approaches where lubricant rheology is determined according to its load carrying capacity, shear characteristics and an additive package to service a host of requirements in general terms. The same has also been true of surface preparation in terms of wear characteristics, fatigue strength and envisaged topography, for example in preparation of coatings, method of deposition, micro-structural attributes, coating layer thickness, mechanical properties and topographical measures.
However, recent detailed studies clearly demonstrate that the interactions between the lubricant molecular species and surface topographical and physic-mechanical properties play keys in the formation of ultra-thin adsorbed films which affect the trib0-chemical and adhesive characteristics of the lubricant-surface system at the scale of minutiae. These characteristics are translated to micro-scale observation of friction, through a plethora of not fundamentally understood phenomena, which are also affected by operating conjunctional conditions such as contact kinematics,
loading and thermodynamics.
Clearly, a timely integrated combined study of system dynamics, tribology (across the physics of scale) and physical chemistry molecular/atomic interactions is necessary to understand the multi-scale multi-physics nature of the lubricant-surface system.
conjunction as a lubricant-surface system. This is contrary to the traditional non-integrated approaches where lubricant rheology is determined according to its load carrying capacity, shear characteristics and an additive package to service a host of requirements in general terms. The same has also been true of surface preparation in terms of wear characteristics, fatigue strength and envisaged topography, for example in preparation of coatings, method of deposition, micro-structural attributes, coating layer thickness, mechanical properties and topographical measures.
However, recent detailed studies clearly demonstrate that the interactions between the lubricant molecular species and surface topographical and physic-mechanical properties play keys in the formation of ultra-thin adsorbed films which affect the trib0-chemical and adhesive characteristics of the lubricant-surface system at the scale of minutiae. These characteristics are translated to micro-scale observation of friction, through a plethora of not fundamentally understood phenomena, which are also affected by operating conjunctional conditions such as contact kinematics,
loading and thermodynamics.
Clearly, a timely integrated combined study of system dynamics, tribology (across the physics of scale) and physical chemistry molecular/atomic interactions is necessary to understand the multi-scale multi-physics nature of the lubricant-surface system.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509516/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 2051494 | Studentship | EP/N509516/1 | 01/01/2018 | 30/09/2021 | Michael Forder |
| Description | The research has uncovered areas where progress can be made to improve the efficiency and environmental impacts of internal combustion engines, particularly in the areas of reduced friction and wear improving the longevity of the units. This has been achieved with a mixture of theoretical and experimental research to investigate the interactions of surface coatings and lubricants to reduce friction and wear. |
| Exploitation Route | The commercial partners are evaluating the published research results with the possibility of some results being used to inform the developments of potential future products. Lateral Force Microscopy has been used to evaluate single asperity level interaction of both lubricants and cylinder liner coatings. Both components showed evidence of complex interactions resulting in valuable knowledge gained in this area. New and innovative experimental test equipment is being developed to reduce potential errors of previous types of experimental test equipment. It is also envisaged that the test equipment will be used beyond the present project and be useful for future research projects. |
| Sectors | Transport |
| Description | The findings of the research to date have been used by industry to better understand the potential of certain cylinder liner coatings when operated at very high temperatures. This has taken two forms, firstly, a model to determine the effects of different coatings on flash temperature, secondly, experimental testing to evaluate the friction and wear characteristics and mechanisms of the research coatings at high temperatures. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
| Sector | Transport |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | Capricorn Automotive |
| Organisation | Capricorn Automotive |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The design and construction of bespoke test equipment and methodologies to create fundamental understanding of lubricated cylinder coatings. These methodologies often include the use of state of the art surface evaluation, such as Atomic Force Microscopy, X-Ray Photo electron Spectroscopy, Optical Microscopy and Electron Microscopy among others. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Industrial knowledge of potential applications. Financial and practical assistance creating physical samples and providing fabrication and machining of rig components. |
| Impact | doi.org/10.1177/1350650120903928 doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.114129 |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Loughborough University Wolfson School Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Initial group round table discussion of the project outline. Presentation of initial research findings. Awareness of the subject of Tribology and potential improvements to Engine efficiency. Many useful discussions and interaction with researchers from other engineering areas. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |