Improving the lubrication and anti-corrosion performance of polyurea grease via ingredient optimization

Thickener formulation plays a significant role in the performance characteristics of grease. The polyurea greases (PUGs) were synthesized using mineral oil (500SN) as the base oil, and by regulating the reaction of diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and different organic amines. The as-prepared PUGs from the reaction of MDI and cyclohexylamine/p-toluidine exhibit the optimum physicochemical and friction-wear properties, confirming that the regulation of thickener formulation can improve the performance characteristics of grease, including friction reduction, wear, corrosion resistance, and load-carrying capacity. The anticorrosion and lubrication properties of as-prepared PUGs depend on good sealing functions and a boundary lubrication film (synergy of grease-film and tribo-chemical reaction film), as well as their chemical components and structure.

Comparative study on corrosion resistance and lubrication function of lithium complex grease and polyurea grease

In this study, lithium complex grease (LCG) and polyurea grease (PUG) were synthesized using mineral oil (500SN) and polyalphaolefin (PAO40) as base oil, adsorbed onto lithium complex soap and polyurea as thickeners, respectively. The effects of grease formulation (thickener and base oil with different amounts (80, 85, and 90 wt%) on the corrosion resistance and lubrication function were investigated in detail. The results have verified that the as-prepared greases have good anti-corrosion ability, ascribed to good salt-spray resistance and sealing function. Furthermore, the increase in the amount of base oil reduces the friction of the contact interface to some extent, whereas the wear resistance of these greases is not consistent with the friction reduction, because the thickener has a significant influence on the tribological property of greases, especially load-carrying capacity. PUG displays better physicochemical performance and lubrication function than LCG under the same conditions, mainly depending on the component/structure of polyurea thickener. The polyurea grease with 90 wt% PAO displays the best wear resistance owing to the synergistic lubrication of grease-film and tribochemical film, composed of Fe2O3, FeO(OH), and nitrogen oxide.

USING OF ESTERS AS DISPERSION MEDIUM OF POLYUREA PLASTIC GREASES

This article presents first results of the investigated physico-chemical and operational parameters of composition greases obtained with the use of esters of different nature as a dispersion medium and the polyurea as a thickening agent, including the addition of nanocellulose. The choice of the ester base for the production of greases is possible due, on the one hand, to good combination of the physico-chemical properties (high viscosity index, low volatility, high flash and ignition temperature, low pour point, good anti-wear properties). On the other hand, in the production of greases with good ecological characteristics biodegradability of its components is of great importance, which in this case is provided by the use of esters as an oil base and an organic thickener, nanocellulose, as a component of the polyurea dispersed phase. It has been shown that from the dicarboxylic acid esters studied, the polyurea greases based on dioctyl adipate are superior to the dropping point and better colloidal stability as compared to dioctyl sebacate and dibutyl sebacate. The smaller size of the ether molecule provides the stronger structure of the polyurea grease. Similarly, for branched ethers, the grease based on tri-basic alcohols is more effective than the four-basic alcohols. The possibility of using nanocellulose as a thickener component was demonstrated. An increase in the content of nanocellulose to 3.5% increases the colloidal stability and the dropping temperature of the synthesized greases. The obtained samples have a wider range of operating temperatures, better rheological indicators than imported and domestic analogues.

Effect of preparation process on elevated temperature tribological properties of composite polyurea grease

Purpose This paper aims to investigate and prepare the composite polyurea greases with excellent thermal stability and tribological properties. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, composite Ba-based (Ba, barium) tetra-polyurea lubricating greases were prepared with two different methods: mixing Ba-based gelatinizer and tetra-polyurea gelatinizer by a physical method; and introducing barium carboxylate into tetra-polyurea molecules by a chemical method. The properties of the products, such as heat stability, water resistance and friction performance, were analyzed with thermogravimetry, water-resistance test and four-ball friction test. Findings The results indicated that the products obtained by chemically introducing barium carboxylate into tetra-urea molecules showed better elevated temperature tribological properties, and the disadvantages of the polyurea greases with high temperature hardening were also obviously improved. The cone penetration rate at 180°C for 24 h is only 3 per cent. The friction coefficient can be decreased to 0.44 and the last non-seizure load value was increased from 560 N to 1,120 N without any other additives. Originality/value The research is significant because the prepared composite grease showed excellent performances, such as the outstanding thermal stability, water resistance and excellent extreme pressure and anti-wear properties, which may be widely applied in steel, metallurgy, bearings and other industrial fields.