Effect of ageing on lubricants’ physical and chemical properties and tribological performance: Part II: effect of water contamination on lubricant

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of water contamination on ageing of lubricants.

Design/methodology/approach: The viscosity, total acid number and Fourier transform infrared spectrum of a series of lubricants after ageing with water were studied. The tribological performance (friction and wear) of the aged lubricants was also analyzed, followed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis on the selected post test samples to study the tribochemical features of the tribofilm.

Findings: The results were also compared with Part I of this study, and it was found that ageing has a different impact on lubricants and tribological performances based on the physical and chemical properties when water is present in the lubricants.

Originality/value: This paper is a continuation of Part I of this study and gives an understanding on the impact of water on the lubricants and related tribological and tribochemical performance.