Title: Experimental investigation on the effect of ionic liquids (C₁₆H₃₆BrP and C₁₆H₃₆BrN) on the tribological performance of neem oil

Authors: R. Panneer; T. Panneerselvam

Addresses: School of Mechanical Engineering, SASTRA (Deemed to be University), Thanjavur, 613401, Tamil Nadu, India ' School of Mechanical Engineering, SASTRA (Deemed to be University), Thanjavur, 613401, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: Ionic liquids are liquid salts, widely used in the chemical processing industry and have excellent lubricating properties. The present study focuses on the tribological performance of three different lubricants, pure neem oil, neem oil with 0.5 wt.% of ionic liquid tetrabutylammonium bromide (C₁₆H₃₆BrN) and neem oil with 0.5 wt.% of ionic liquid tetrabutylphosphonium bromide (C₁₆H₃₆BrP) in steel to steel interface. Considerable friction reduction and anti-wear capabilities have been confirmed when neem oil is added with 0.5 wt.% tetrabutylphosphonium bromide. The use of this fluid has reduced the frictional force at a uniform rate, and deep, broad wear scars or blisters or eruptions on the sides of the wear scars are not seen. The viscosity, density and wear resistance values also support this conclusion. The outcome of the research shows that neem oil along with tetrabutylphosphonium bromide can replace the existing conventional, unsustainable hydrocarbon and synthetic-based lubricants.

Keywords: neem oil; ionic liquids; frictional force; temperature; viscosity; volume loss; wear resistance; wear scars.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSURFSE.2020.105877

International Journal of Surface Science and Engineering, 2020 Vol.14 No.1, pp.16 - 33

Received: 22 Jan 2019
Accepted: 26 Jun 2019
Published online: 16 Mar 2020 *

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