Lubricants having zinc borate by homogeneous precipitation and Span 60 in spindle oil

Abstract

Nano particles of zinc borate were obtained by homogeneous precipitation method which is based on dissolving zinc borate in ammonia and precipitating it as nano particles by slow evaporation of ammonia. The synthesized zinc borates were characterized by advanced analytical techniques. Zinc borate nano particles were used as a lubricant additive to spindle oil having Span 60 dispersant. The particles were well dispersed in spindle oil as shown by optical microscopy of the oils. Four ball tests of the lubricants indicated zinc borate lowered (61.8%) the wear scar diameter significantly. The hardness of wear surfaces of test balls was reduced from 688 HV to 618 HV and presence of zinc borate particles embedded on the surface indicated a flexible skin was formed. Therefore the pressure was decreased due to increase of the contact area of the balls. The surface roughness was also decreased from 35.63 nm to 27.60 nm by the addition of zinc borate to spindle oil having Span 60. Zinc borate prepared by homogeneous precipitation technique lowered the wear of the surfaces that rub to each other.