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Abstract Graphene as a lubricating additive holds great potential for industrial lubrication. However, its poor dispersity and compatibility with base oils and grease hinder maximizing performance. Here, the influence of graphene dispersion on the thickening effect and lubrication function is considered. A well-dispersed lubricant additive was obtained via trihexyl tetradecyl phosphonium bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate modified graphene ([P66614][DEHP]-G). Then lithium complex grease was prepared by saponification with 12-OH stearic acid, sebacic acid, and lithium hydroxide, using polyalphaolefin (PAO20) as base oil and the modified-graphene as lubricating additive, with the original graphene as a comparison. The physicochemical properties and lubrication performance of the as-prepared greases were evaluated in detail. The results show that the as-prepared greases have high dropping point and colloidal stability. Furthermore, modified-graphene lithium complex grease offered the best friction reduction and anti-wear abilities, manifesting the reduction of friction coefficient and wear volume up to 18.84% and 67.34%, respectively. With base oil overflow and afflux, well-dispersed [P66614][DEHP]-G was readily adsorbed to the worn surfaces, resulting in the formation of a continuous and dense graphene deposition film. The synergy of deposited graphene-film, spilled oil, and adhesive grease greatly improves the lubrication function of grease. This research paves the way for modulating high-performance lithium complex grease to reduce the friction and wear of movable machinery.

Purpose: This paper aims to improve the tribological properties of lithium complex greases using nanoparticles to investigate the tribological behavior of single additives (nano-TiO2 or nano-CeO2) and composite additives (nano-TiO2–CeO2) in lithium complex greases and to analyze the mechanism of their influence using a variety of characterization tools. Design/methodology/approach: The morphology and microstructure of the nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and an X-ray diffractometer. The tribological properties of different nanoparticles, as well as compounded nanoparticles as greases, were evaluated. Average friction coefficients and wear diameters were analyzed. Scanning electron microscopy and three-dimensional topography were used to analyze the surface topography of worn steel balls. The elements present on the worn steel balls' surface were analyzed using energy-dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Findings: The results showed that the coefficient of friction (COF) of grease with all three nanoparticles added was low. The grease-containing composite nanoparticles exhibited a lower COF and superior anti-wear properties. The sample displayed its optimal tribological performance when the ratio of TiO2 to CeO2 was 6:4, resulting in a 30.5% reduction in the COF and a 29.2% decrease in wear spot diameter compared to the original grease. Additionally, the roughness of the worn spot surface and the maximum depth of the wear mark were significantly reduced. Originality/value: The main innovation of this study is the first mixing of nano-TiO2 and nano-CeO2 with different sizes and properties as compound lithium grease additives to significantly enhance the anti-wear and friction reduction properties of this grease. The results of friction experiments with a single additive are used as a basis to explore the synergistic lubrication mechanism of the compounded nanoparticles. This innovative approach provides a new reference and direction for future research and development of grease additives. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-09-2023-0291/ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene as a lubricating additive holds great potential for industrial lubrication. However, its poor dispersity and compatibility with base oils and grease hinder maximizing performance. Here, the influence of graphene dispersion on the thickening effect and lubrication function is considered. A well-dispersed lubricant additive was obtained via trihexyl tetradecyl phosphonium bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate modified graphene ([P66614][DEHP]-G). Then lithium complex grease was prepared by saponification with 12-OH stearic acid, sebacic acid, and lithium hydroxide, using polyalphaolefin (PAO20) as base oil and the modified-graphene as lubricating additive, with the original graphene as a comparison. The physicochemical properties and lubrication performance of the as-prepared greases were evaluated in detail. The results show that the as-prepared greases have high dropping point and colloidal stability. Furthermore, modified-graphene lithium complex grease offered the best friction reduction and anti-wear abilities, manifesting the reduction of friction coefficient and wear volume up to 18.84% and 67.34%, respectively. With base oil overflow and afflux, well-dispersed [P66614][DEHP]-G was readily adsorbed to the worn surfaces, resulting in the formation of a continuous and dense graphene deposition film. The synergy of deposited graphene-film, spilled oil, and adhesive grease greatly improves the lubrication function of grease. This research paves the way for modulating high-performance lithium complex grease to reduce the friction and wear of movable machinery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Polyaniline/molybdenum disulfide (PANI/MoS2) composites doped with hydrochloric acid were synthesised by in situ polymerisation and characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The tribological properties of PANI/MoS2 as composite lithium grease additive were investigated by MFT‐R4000 current‐carrying friction and wear tester. SEM observed the surface morphologies of the wear scars, and energy dispersive spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysed the element distribution and chemical state. The results show that PANI/MoS2 composites have better tribological and electrical properties than PANI and MoS2 additives alone and in the same proportion. Therefore, it can be concluded that MoS2 and synergism of polyaniline modifier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few-layer graphene (FLG) was added as a nano-additive to lithium complex grease (LCG) to explore the influence of FLG on the microstructure, viscoelasticity, friction and wear properties of LCG. Studies have found that the addition of FLG makes the microstructure of the thickener more compact, which in turn leads to an increase in the viscoelasticity of LCG. FLG additives can improve the viscosity-temperature properties of the grease and change the elastic deformation response to temperature changes. Among the temperatures selected in this article, the effect of graphene is more obvious at 70 °C. During the friction process, a proper amount of FLG can quickly form a boundary film and is not easily damaged, thereby optimizing the friction and wear performance of LCG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this study, lithium complex grease (LCG) and polyurea grease (PUG) were synthesized using mineral oil (500SN) and polyalphaolefin (PAO40) as base oil, adsorbed onto lithium complex soap and polyurea as thickeners, respectively. The effects of grease formulation (thickener and base oil with different amounts (80, 85, and 90 wt%) on the corrosion resistance and lubrication function were investigated in detail. The results have verified that the as-prepared greases have good anti-corrosion ability, ascribed to good salt-spray resistance and sealing function. Furthermore, the increase in the amount of base oil reduces the friction of the contact interface to some extent, whereas the wear resistance of these greases is not consistent with the friction reduction, because the thickener has a significant influence on the tribological property of greases, especially load-carrying capacity. PUG displays better physicochemical performance and lubrication function than LCG under the same conditions, mainly depending on the component/structure of polyurea thickener. The polyurea grease with 90 wt% PAO displays the best wear resistance owing to the synergistic lubrication of grease-film and tribochemical film, composed of Fe2O3, FeO(OH), and nitrogen oxide.

Few-layer graphene (FLG) was added as a nano-additive to lithium complex grease (LCG) to explore the influence of FLG on the microstructure, viscoelasticity, friction and wear properties of LCG. Studies have found that the addition of FLG makes the microstructure of the thickener more compact, which in turn leads to an increase in the viscoelasticity of LCG. FLG additives can improve the viscosity-temperature properties of the grease and change the elastic deformation response to temperature changes. Among the temperatures selected in this article, the effect of graphene is more obvious at 70 °C. During the friction process, a proper amount of FLG can quickly form a boundary film and is not easily damaged, thereby optimizing the friction and wear performance of LCG.

In this study, lithium complex grease (LCG) and polyurea grease (PUG) were synthesized using mineral oil (500SN) and polyalphaolefin (PAO40) as base oil, adsorbed onto lithium complex soap and polyurea as thickeners, respectively. The effects of grease formulation (thickener and base oil with different amounts (80, 85, and 90 wt%) on the corrosion resistance and lubrication function were investigated in detail. The results have verified that the as-prepared greases have good anti-corrosion ability, ascribed to good salt-spray resistance and sealing function. Furthermore, the increase in the amount of base oil reduces the friction of the contact interface to some extent, whereas the wear resistance of these greases is not consistent with the friction reduction, because the thickener has a significant influence on the tribological property of greases, especially load-carrying capacity. PUG displays better physicochemical performance and lubrication function than LCG under the same conditions, mainly depending on the component/structure of polyurea thickener. The polyurea grease with 90 wt% PAO displays the best wear resistance owing to the synergistic lubrication of grease-film and tribochemical film, composed of Fe2O3, FeO(OH), and nitrogen oxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thickener as an important ingredient affects the performance characteristics of lubricating grease. Here, seven lithium complex greases (LCGs) were prepared by saponification of 12‐OH stearic acid and low molecular weight dibasic acids (including adipic acid, sebacic acid, phthalic acid, dodecanedioic acid, and the combination of sebacic acid and phthalic acid in different molar ratios) with LiOH, using polyalphaolefin (PAO 40) as base oil. Physical properties and lubrication function of as‐prepared LCGs were evaluated in detail, and the friction mechanism was explored via analysis on the morphologies and composition of worn surfaces. Results illustrate that the saponification of mixed 12‐OH stearic acid and sebacic acid with LiOH provides good thickener for improving the physico‐chemical performance of LCG, while the thickener prepared by 12‐OH stearic acid and adipic acid with LiOH enhances lubrication function of LCG, mainly depending on synergy of grease film and tribo‐chemical reaction film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphenol S bis(diphenyl phosphate) (BSDP) was synthesised and characterised, and its tribological behaviours as additives in polyurea grease and lithium complex grease were evaluated for steel/steel contact at 200 °C. The results indicated that BSDP could dramatically reduce the friction and wear of sliding pairs in the base grease of polyurea, and the tribological performances of BSDP in polyurea grease were significantly superior to the normally used molybdenum disulfide-based additive package. Furthermore, BSDP in polyurea grease has better tribological behaviour than that in lithium complex grease at a constant load of 100 N. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicated that boundary lubrication films composed of Fe(OH)O, Fe2O3, Fe3O4 and FePO4 compounds containing the P-O bonds and nitride compounds were formed on the worn surface, which resulted in excellent friction reduction and antiwear performance. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six lithium complex greases (LCGs) were prepared by 12-hydroxystearic acid, LiOH and different complexing agent (azelaic acid, sebacic acid, dodecanedioic acid, as well as the mixture of boric acid and each binary acid in a molar ratio of 1:1 (B/A=1:1, B/S=1:1, and B/D=1:1)), thickening polyalphaolefin (PAO 40). The effect of complexing agent on physicochemical, rheological and tribological properties was investigated. Results indicate that adding boric acid introduces the coordination bond that enhances the thixotropic, yield stress, physicochemical and tribological properties of LCG with onefold complexing agent. The LCG prepared by B/D= 1:1 presents the optimum physicochemical and tribological properties. The LCG was degraded during the friction and a tribo-chemical film formed (iron oxide, Li 2 O, and LiBO 2 / B 2 O 3). [Display omitted] • The bonding interaction between the lithium complex soap were explanated. • The mixture of boric acid and binary acid as complexing agent improved the physicochemical and tribological properties. • Adding boric acid as complexing agent improved the structural recovery performance and yield stress of the LCG. • The excellent tribological properties depends on the synergy of tribo-chemical film and oil film. • The grease occurs degradation and carbonization during friction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three kinds of protic ionic liquids with ammonium salts, dodecylamine salt of S-(1-carboxyl)-propyl- N, N-diethyldithiocarbamate (coded as DDED), dodecylamine salt of S-(1-carboxyl)-propyl- N, N-dibutyldithiocarbamate (coded as DDBD), dodecylamine salt of S-(1-carboxyl)-propyl- N, N-dioctyldithiocarbamate (coded as DDOD) were synthesized, characterized, and their tribological behaviors as additives in lithium complex grease were studied for steel/steel contact. The tribological properties were evaluated on an Optimol SRV-I oscillating reciprocating friction and wear tester and a MRS-10A lever-type fourball tester in details. The results of tests demonstrated that the novel additives were able to remarkably improve the extreme pressure, friction-reducing, and anti-wear properties of the base lithium complex grease when added at a low adding concentration (<3 %). Based on the performance comparison of three novel additives with different chain lengths in DTCs groups and a commercial additive with similar DTCs groups but no PILs groups, methylene bis dibutyldithiocarbamate (T323), a number of primary conclusions were drawn. The carboxylic acid ammonium salts, the typical function groups of the PILs existing in the molecule structures of three additives, could not only greatly enhance the physical and/or chemical adsorption on the metal surface to reduce friction of the base grease, and also have better synergism with DTCs groups in improving anti-wear performance of base grease. Based on the characterization and analysis of the worn surface by a PHI-5702 multifunctional X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) and a JSM-5600LV scanning electron microscope (SEM), a protective film consisting of FeS, organic compound was formed on the surface. The ordered adsorbed film and chemical reactive film on the sliding steels contributed to the main factor in improving the tribological properties of base lithium complex grease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the tribological behavior of amorphous overbased calcium sulfonate (AOBCS) and crystalline overbased calcium sulfonate (COBCS, transformed from the AOBCS) as additives in lithium complex grease. The transformation product of the calcium carbonate polymorph from AOBCS was calcite, as determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Tribological properties were evaluated by an oscillating reciprocating friction and wear tester and a four-ball tester. The results showed that the addition of COBCS can dramatically improve both the antiwear performance and the friction-reducing and load-carrying properties of the base grease. However, improvement of the tribological properties of the base grease by AOBCS was highly dependent on the concentrations added and the loads applied. The tribological properties of the base grease were improved more by the addition of COBCS than by the addition of AOBCS. X-ray photoelectron energy spectrometry and thermogravimetric analysis revealed that both AOBCS and COBCS underwent complicated tribochemical reactions in the base grease and that chemically reactive films consisting of CaCO, CaO, iron oxide and organic compounds were formed on the worn surfaces. Taken together with the results of the tribo-tests, we suggest that transformation of the calcium carbonate polymorphs was the main factor in improving the tribological properties of lithium complex grease. The transformation of calcium carbonate polymorphs can broaden the application of AOBCS as an extreme pressure/antiwear additive in greases under boundary lubrication conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a comparative study of the tribological and vibration performance of the synthesized lithium complex grease (LCG) containing Carbon black, Fe 3 O 4 and Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles on rolling bearing. The micromorphology, friction coefficient, worn surface and bearing vibration experiment of four greases were studied. The results show that in presence of nanoparticles friction and wear behaviors are improved compared to LCG without nanoparticles. The best tribological performance is obtained in presence of Al 2 O 3 nanoparticle, which is mainly attributed to its high hardness, cylindrical shape and deposition on the worn surface. Further, the wettability test shows that Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles can effectively promote the flow of base oil on the LCG soap fibers, which results in the most effective bearing vibration suppression. • The Al 2 O 3 nano-particles have the largest hardness and show cylindrical microscopic morphology. • The Al 2 O 3 nano-particles were intensively deposited on the surface of worn steel ball. • The Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles effectively promote the flow of base oil on the LCG soap fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]