Investigation of the Tribological Properties of Hybrid Additive-Modified Water-Based Lubricating Fluid

Water-based lubricating fluids (WBLFs), known for their significant environmental benefits, are the focus of this study. The properties of WBLFs directly influence lubricated mechanisms’ longevity and operating efficiency. WBLFs are enhanced using additives, which must improve their properties and, at the same time, remain environmentally friendly. This study combines bis(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium erucate protic ionic liquid and titanium oxide nanoparticles to formulate the hybrid additive. The lubricity was investigated using Alumina/Bearing steel and WC/Bearing steel friction pairs in a reciprocating ball-on-plate tribo-tester. The results show that protic ionic liquid can significantly improve lubricity and the corrosion-preventing ability of the base fluid. Applying a hybrid additive further improved the wear reduction ability in the WC/Bearing steel friction pair. However, the wear reduction ability was diminished when a hybrid additive was used to lubricate the Alumina/Bearing steel friction pair. The proposed lubricity improvement mechanism is based on forming an adsorption layer of ionic liquid molecules and rolling and tribo-sintering titanium oxide nanoparticles.