Publication

Abstract : Tribological properties of lithium potassium titanate (PT), molybdenum disulphide, and tungsten disulphide-dispersed mineral oil (MO) were investigated. The sample containing 2 wt.% WS2 exhibited the lowest coefficient of friction. However, the wear scar diameters of the additivated samples were very narrow. Extreme pressure properties of mineral oil were enhanced with the addition of additives. The rolling contact fatigue results exhibited better fatigue life of the balls in MoS2 and PT-dispersed MO. Surface characterization of the balls indicated more pitting on the balls of the MO and WS2-dispersed MO as compared to MoS2 and PT, indicating a stable film in the case of MoS2 and PT, which was confirmed by the presence of additives on ball surfaces by Raman spectrograph. The results of extended rolling contact fatigue tests proved that PT-added mineral oil provided the highest life cycles of the tested balls, followed by MoS2 and WS2-added mineral oil; thus, indicating PT as a plausible alternative to MoS2 and WS2.