Coimbra, Portugal, Nov. 20, 2024 (Lusa) - Researchers from the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCTUC) have developed a sustainable lubrication system that considerably improves resistance to wear and corrosion in mechanical applications, the higher education institution announced on Wednesday.
Fábio Ferreira, a researcher from FCTUC's Department of Mechanical Engineering (DEM) and the Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes (CEMMPRE), is responsible for creating this system, which was developed as part of the international LubEnergy project, FCTUC said in a statement sent to the Lusa news agency.
‘This research came about to improve mechanical components, as we increasingly have the problem of friction and wear, which consequently leads to greater energy expenditure,’ explained Fábio Ferreira.
For example, if the engine has a lot of friction, it uses more fuel to move the components and keep the car moving.
He said that by integrating gadolinium-doped diamond-like carbon coatings (Gd-DLC) with ionic liquids, in addition to improving the performance of these components by almost 50%, the environmental concerns associated with conventional lubricant additives, such as zinc dialkyldithiophosphates (ZnDTPs), have been addressed.
‘Traditional lubricants rely on additives that can have negative environmental impacts due to their high levels of phosphorus, sulphur and zinc,’ explained the project leader, emphasising that the aim was to develop a more sustainable alternative that did not compromise performance.
The research involved developing DLC coatings with varying concentrations of gadolinium to improve their wear-resistant properties.
‘When combined with specific ionic liquids, the Gd-DLC coatings not only reduced wear but also provided excellent protection against corrosion, even in the presence of ionic liquids containing bromides, which generally corrode steel surfaces,’ said FCTUC.
According to Fábio Ferreira, surface analysis techniques revealed that gadolinium facilitates the adsorption of phosphate ions from the ionic liquids on the DLC surface, forming phosphorus-rich tribofilms that increased wear resistance.
‘The research carried out has significant implications for various industries seeking to improve mechanical performance while reducing environmental impact,’ he emphasised.
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