Tribological study of PS-23 for possible automotive applications

Authors

Roberto R. Carballo, Florida International University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor's Name

Qian Wang

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Tachung Yih

Third Advisor's Name

Ibrahim N. Tansel

Fourth Advisor's Name

Kuang-Hsi Wu

Date of Defense

1996

Abstract

PS-23® is a new oil conditioner developed in South Africa by Lubrioil S.A. Chemical and physical analysis, and experimental studies were conducted to investigate the possibility of using PS-23® as an engine oil additive package. Mobil 1OW-30 is used as the engine oil. The experimental results indicate that PS-230 contains unexpectedly high levels of calcium and phosphorus, and that mixing 10% PS-23® in volume decreases the lubricant viscosity and increases its volatility. The start-stop tests using small engines were used to test PS-23® in a severe operating condition. The experimental observation suggests that under such an adverse combustion environment, the PS-23® 1OW-30 mixture is more likely to degrade. Further studies were conducted using a block-on-pin machine to determine the tribological behavior of PS-23 as an additive using a prepared steel sample and rotating piston pin, under both full film and boundary lubricating conditions. Both 1OW-30 motor oil and 80W-90 gear oil were used for these tests as the reference oil. It was found that under full film lubrication there were no substantial differences in the frictional coefficient with the use of PS-23®. However, under boundary lubricating conditions it was found that the use of PS-23@ extended the time before failure was observed by a substantial amount. Other popular lubricant additives such as Slick-50 and Duralube were also used in the boundary lubrication tests, and although they performed better than the reference oil alone, they did not achieve the level of performance achieved with the use of PS-23®.

Identifier

FI14052570

Recommended Citation

Carballo, Roberto R., "Tribological study of PS-23 for possible automotive applications" (1996). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2041.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2041