Testing of oils for the automotive industry

WHY

A variety of oils for the automotive industry is available in the market. These oils have different composition, additives and can operate under different conditions (motion, load, speed and temperature). A method need to be used to prescreen the performance and endurance of these oils under different conditions, which are relevant to the automotive industry.    

HOW

A TE-77 high frequency friction machine developed by Phoenix tribology, was used. This set-up alloys for a reciprocating motion under variable frequencies, loads, temperatures and/or displacements. During the test the friction, temperature of the bath and contact potential potential are continuously monitored and recorded. In this way variations in those parameters can be linked to changes in the oil (e.g. activation or depletion of additives), to surface changes (growth or removal of an oxide layer), to changes in the lubrication regime (in accordance with Stribeck curves) etc. After testing, the wear on both the plate and countermaterial are evaluated by optical and confocal microscopy.

 

 

 

RESULT 

• TE-77 is a versatile machine that can test the reciprocating sliding wear of oils.
• The evolution of the coefficient of friction can be linked to temperature changes.
• Different oils can be ranked under various loading, speed and temperature conditions.
• The presence of contaminants (particles) in the oil can have a significant effect in its performance.