Abstract
Macroscale rolling/sliding conditions are in the superlubricity, a little-studied topic so far. The purpose of this paper is to examine the formation of elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) films by water-based lubricants (glycerol and polyethylene glycol (PEG)), providing superlubricous friction. Experiments were carried out on an optical ball-on-disc tribometer under rolling/sliding conditions. The film thickness was measured by the thin film colorimetric interferometry, and the viscosity of liquids was measured by rotational and high-pressure falling body viscometers. The results show that tribochemical reactions are not the mandatory reason for friction to reach the superlubricity level when using the water-based lubricants. The studied liquids themselves are almost Newtonian. With the addition of water, the signs of shear thinning behavior disappear even more. Suitable conditions for this type of lubricant can be predicted using the known Hamrock–Dowson equations. An anomaly in the thickness of the lubricants was observed as an abrupt change at certain conditions. The more PEG there is in the lubricant, the higher the thickness at the beginning of the jump.
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The research was supported by the Czech Science Foundation (No. 21-28352S).
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Tomáš POLÁČEK. He received his bachelor’s and M.S. degrees in mechanical engineering from Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic, in 2019 and 2021, respectively. Now he is a Ph.D. student in Institute of Machine and Industrial Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic. His research interests include mixed and elastohydrodynamic friction and superlubricity.
Petr ŠPERKA. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic, in 2007 and 2011, respectively. His current position is an assistant professor and head of Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication Section at Tribology Group, Institute of Machine and Industrial Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic. His research areas cover the boundary, mixed and elastohydrodynamic lubrication, roughness effect, and lubricant rheology.
Ivan KŘUPKA. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic, in 1990 and 1997, respectively. His current position is a professor and head of Tribology Group, Institute of Machine and Industrial Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic. His research areas cover the mixed and elastohydrodynamic lubrication, surface texturing effect, and lubricant rheology.
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Poláček, T., Šperka, P. & Křupka, I. Liquid superlubricity of lubricants containing hydroxyl groups and their aqueous solution under rolling/sliding conditions. Friction 12, 164–173 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-023-0762-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-023-0762-6