Madhuca Indica (Mahua): A novel feedstock for bio based lubricant application treated with trimethylolpropane and tribological analysis

The degradation of the lubricant is not possible as they are non-biodegradable and are toxic to nature. Around the globe, various studies are going on while concentrating on bio-based lubricant which could be environment friendly. In this analysis, friction and wear of the Mahua oil-based lubricant have been carried out at different loads. The mahua oil was treated with trimethylolpropane for improving lubrication characteristics and then blended with synthetic oil in the ratio 4%, 8%, and 12% by volume. The proper mixing of the blends was done with help of ultrasonicator. The loads assigned were 20, 80, and 140 N. The tribological analysis at various loads was assessed using a pin on disc tribometer. The sliding velocity of the disc on every load applied has been 0.4 m/s. The lubricating framework that existed during the experiment constituted boundary lubrication. Improvement in frictional behaviour and anti-wear characteristics was shown by 4% and 8% blends of Mahua oil at all the applied loads. The 12% blend shows maximum friction and wear. The worn surface images were better obtained with 4% and 8% blends.