Experimental studies on viscosity, thermal and tribological properties of vegetable oil (kapok oil) with boric acid as an additive

• Main Authors: Subramaniam Shankar, M. Manikandan, G. Raja, G. Suganya Priyadharashini, Alokesh Pramanik
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2021-04-01
• Series: Micro & Nano Letters
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1049/mna2.12045

Abstract Non‐renewability and damage caused to the environment while using mineral based and synthetic based lubricants become the greatest concern of this century. Disposal issues initiated a global trend to utilize vegetable based lubricants in industries. Vegetable oils are environmental friendly, have low toxicity and highly biodegradable in nature. The main objective of this work is to improve the viscosity and reduce the friction and wear rate of Kapok oil using boric acid as an additive. The tribological properties of kapok oil with three different concentrations (1, 3 and 5 wt%) of boric acid is evaluated and compared with pure kapok oil using pin on disc tribometer. The worn out surface of the pin are analyzed using the optical microscope after the wear test. The viscosity and thermal properties of kapok oil with 5 wt% of boric acid possess the better performance compared to other samples. Boric acid particles suspension exhibits reduction in friction and wear when compared with pure kapok oil. Overall, the kapok oil combined with 5 wt% of boric acid acts as the better bio lubricant oil which would help to reduce the global demand of petroleum‐based lubricant sustainability.