Tribological Properties and Film Formation Behavior of Thermoreversible Gel Lubricants

摘要

The tribological properties of a new and unique thermoreversible gel lubricant (TR gel lube) were investigated. TR gel lube, which includes 10-40% of amide-type gelling agent in base fluid, is able to repeatedly alter or convert phase from gel state to liquid state at the melting point of the gelling agent. High-pressure rheological tests were performed in order to characterize the behavior of base oil and TR gel lube as a function of pressure and temperature. The effect of TR gel lube on ball bearing fatigue life was carried out by systematic tests using thrust ball bearings. The results of L10 life tests of TR gel lube showed a longer life than the conventional greases. This result was investigated from the oil film formation. It was found that the gelling agent played a key role in the lubricating properties. Some mechanisms such as adsorbed film formation and solidlike formation are proposed.