Lubricant surface system for high performance transmissions
Lead Research Organisation:
Loughborough University
Department Name: Wolfson Sch of Mech, Elec & Manufac Eng
Abstract
System level adaptations to automotive transmission systems have improved overall efficiency at the cost of increasing the parasitic frictional losses at the tribological conjunction between meshing gear teeth. Frictional losses detract from the efficiency of automotive transmission systems and the vehicles in which they operate. Due to the severity of the contact between the gear teeth the role of lubricant additives and advanced surface coatings has become critical.
The focus of the current work is determining how advanced surface coatings, surface finishing procedures and lubricant interactions can be harnessed to improve energy efficiency of automotive transmissions. This work will be completed by conducting a novel experimental approach which investigates the surface topography and frictional behaviour across multiple length scales. The measurements will be conducted using atomic force microscopy, lateral force microscopy, optical interferometry, tribometry and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The experimental work will be complemented by the use of analytical models that will help elucidate the physical phenomena observed during the experimentation. This novel approach allows for identification of advantageous lubricant surface combinations and the physical mechanisms which determine the combination to have low frictional losses. The development in fundamental understanding generated by this research will enable improved selection of surfaces and lubricants for high shear, high temperature and high pressure tribological conjunctions by understanding their dependency.
The focus of the current work is determining how advanced surface coatings, surface finishing procedures and lubricant interactions can be harnessed to improve energy efficiency of automotive transmissions. This work will be completed by conducting a novel experimental approach which investigates the surface topography and frictional behaviour across multiple length scales. The measurements will be conducted using atomic force microscopy, lateral force microscopy, optical interferometry, tribometry and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The experimental work will be complemented by the use of analytical models that will help elucidate the physical phenomena observed during the experimentation. This novel approach allows for identification of advantageous lubricant surface combinations and the physical mechanisms which determine the combination to have low frictional losses. The development in fundamental understanding generated by this research will enable improved selection of surfaces and lubricants for high shear, high temperature and high pressure tribological conjunctions by understanding their dependency.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509516/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1808500 | Studentship | EP/N509516/1 | 01/10/2016 | 31/03/2020 | Edward Humphrey |
| Description | Improvements in frictional performance of DLC coated pairs in comparison with steel contacting pairs under mixed regime of lubrication.The analysis shows reduced real asperity load bearing contact area for the DLC-on-DLC tribo-pairs in comparison with the counterpart Steel pairs. This is shown to be a underlying mechanism for reduced friction under boundary regime of lubrication. As well as the critical nature of the measurement technique used to measure coatings such as DLC in both the vertical and spatial sampling resolution. A combined analytical and precision experimental approach is created to analyse the salient parameters of the lubricant-surface system. A multiscale procedure comprising topographical measurement, pin-on-disc tribometry, atomic force microscopy in lateral force mode, X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy and continuum contact mechanics analysis under mixed non-Newtonian thermo-elastohydrodynamics is used to describe the formation of a tribo-film, as well as wear and frictional characteristics of the lubricant-surface system. The contribution of chemisorbed and physisorbed bonded tribo-film on the boundary coefficient of friction is ascertained at different physical scales. The influence of fully formulated lubricant on the surface lubricant system frictional performance under severe regimes of lubrication and the effect of continual mild wear on the contact geometry and conditions. |
| Exploitation Route | Improve state of art technologies, furthering fundamental knowledge. In this project it is applied to high performance transmissions but can be applied to other load bearing contacts. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Chemicals,Education,Energy,Transport |
| Description | To improve transmission efficiency, reduce friction as well as improve structural integrate of surfaces. The fundamental analysis and methods developed for analysis the surface lubricant system can be applied to multiple contacts in mechanical systems such as transmissions/ bearings to intelligently use tribological advances to there full potential to reduce friction and improve component life through reduced wear for a truly optimised surface lubricant system for high performance transmissions. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
| Sector | Transport,Other |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | STEM For Britain - A prestigious annual event at the Houses of Parliament presenting research to Members of Parliament |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | STEM for Britain is used to present the best of early career researchers work to parliament MPs linking research and policy makers. Selected to present a poster titled 'Mulitscale analysis of lubricant surface combinations for reduced frictional losses in high performance automotive transmissions' for the engineering sector. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | 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 | Poster presentation at yearly progression conference for PhD, allowing cross population of projects within the university and seeing what other projects are currently undertaken at the university. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |