Development and Tribological Analysis of Bio-Based Lubricant Using Two Non-Edible Oils: Castor Oil and Neem Oil

Abstract

Lubricants play a very important role in multiple industries in minimizing wear and friction between two moving parts. Most lubricants are produced from petroleum oil which is poorly biodegradable and toxic in nature. Hence these lubricants are highly undesirable due to environmental hazards and the health and safety of the operator. Bio-Lubricants like Castor Oil have found a potential scope in research and are being used in various applications as a substitute for these chemical lubricants. This paper examines the Tribological Properties of developed Bio-Lubricants, prepared using Castor Oil and Neem Oil in a mixing ratio of 20%. Wear and Friction analysis has been carried out using Pin on Disc apparatus at varying loads, which has shown that the blend of Castor Oil as a base with 20% Neem Oil has promising properties, with around 70% reduction in wear rate at specific loads, hence showcasing a tremendous capacity for being used in maintenance applications. An overall reduction in wear and coefficient of friction was observed in the developed mixture, making it a potential environment-friendly replacement for chemical lubricants and an upgrade over Pure Refined Castor Oil.