Recent Advances in Green Lubricants

A special issue of Lubricants (ISSN 2075-4442).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 4634

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Head of the Materials and Tribology Research Laboratory Mechanical Engineering Department, National Technological Institute of Mexico (TecNM) in Celaya, Ave. Tecnológico y A.G. Cubas S/N, C.P., Celaya 38010, Guanajuato, México
Interests: materials characterization; wear and friction; lubrication; bio-lubricants
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Guest Editor
Automotive Systems Engineering Division, National Technological Institute of Mexico / Instituto Tecnologico Superior de Irapuato, Carretera Irapuato-Silao Km 12.5, C.P., Irapuato 36821, Guanajuato, México
Interests: automotive systems; green lubricants; lubrication; tribology; materials characterization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Green lubricants are of crucial importance for sustainable tribological processes. The effectiveness of the lubricating behavior of these substances depends on their chemical nature, rheological behavior, physical properties, temperature and oxidation stability, ability to form protective layers, additive agents, and, above all, on the tribological performance of the mechanical system. One of the main research fields of current tribology concerns the creation of new green lubricants or chemical modifications that can enhance energy efficiency, decrease wear on the machinery, have a maximized service life, and achieve adequate performance without affecting the environment.

The objective of this Special Issue is to invite the scientific community to publish on the most recent advances in the field of green lubricants. We welcome all contributions involving experimental and theoretical research on green lubricants, especially those focused on the synthesis, chemical modifications, or integration of additives; and the evaluation of thermal, oxidative, rheological, and tribological properties of green lubricants, with the purpose of using them in further specific applications. Original research articles, reviews, and short communications are all welcome.

We hope that this Special Issue will collect multidisciplinary articles that show the different advances in the field of green lubricants, with the common goal of contributing to the sustainable development of our world through their use in engineering applications.

We look forward to receiving your contributions to this field.

Prof. Dr. Karla Judith Moreno
Dr. María Teresa Hernández Sierra
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Lubricants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • green lubricants
  • rheological behavior
  • physical properties
  • temperature and oxidation stability
  • tribology performance

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 4129 KiB  
Article
Response Modeling and Optimization of Process Parameters in Turning Medium Carbon Steel Under Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) with Vegetable Oil and Oil Blends
by Indranil Das and Prianka Binte Zaman
Lubricants 2024, 12(12), 444; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12120444 - 12 Dec 2024
Viewed by 493
Abstract
Machining is an important aspect of manufacturing. The application of cutting fluid in the field of engineering manufacturing has a history of hundreds of years, and it plays a vital role in the processing efficiency and surface quality of parts. The use of [...] Read more.
Machining is an important aspect of manufacturing. The application of cutting fluid in the field of engineering manufacturing has a history of hundreds of years, and it plays a vital role in the processing efficiency and surface quality of parts. The use of vegetable oil in machining operations is receiving attention currently for sustainable alternatives to mineral-based cutting oil. If the vegetable oil is applied through the minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) technique, it becomes more cost effective, eco-friendly, and sustainable. This study aims to investigate the effects (cutting force and temperature) of coconut oil, a coconut–rice bran oil blend, and a coconut–olive oil blend, and compare them with VG 68 oil using MQL. A magnetic stirrer was employed for mixing oils (coconut–rice bran oil and coconut–olive oil), performed at 40 °C and 250 rpm. The response parameter values were evaluated at different combinations of speed (78, 113.5, and 149 mm/min), feed (0.1, 0.13, and 0.16 mm/rev), and depth of cut (0.5, 0.75, and 0.1 mm). The design of the experiment (DOE) was created using the value of input parameters using response surface methodology (RSM). Percentage (%) reduction was calculated to compare the reduction in cutting force and temperature by using coconut oil, a coconut–rice bran oil blend, and a coconut–olive oil blend concerning mineral oil. Empirical models were developed for cutting force and temperature by RSM for the four cutting environments. The ANOVA result shows that the model performed satisfactorily for both temperature and force analysis. RSM-based optimization was carried out and the optimal solution was found at the cutting speed of 80.15 m/min, feed rate of 0.10 mm/min, and 0.5 mm depth of cut for the coconut–olive oil blend. Also, the model performed better in the reduction in force than temperature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Green Lubricants)
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24 pages, 6766 KiB  
Article
Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants for Stern Tube Application: Shear Stability and Friction Factor
by Marek Večeř, Petr Stavárek, Simona Krčková, Ladislav Zelenka and Sergio Armada
Lubricants 2024, 12(9), 323; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12090323 - 20 Sep 2024
Viewed by 860
Abstract
Stern tube lubricants are essential in maritime operations, safeguarding ship propeller shafts from wear and corrosion while ensuring efficient propulsion. Their role in reducing friction and maintaining system integrity is critical. With growing environmental concerns, the adoption of environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs) for [...] Read more.
Stern tube lubricants are essential in maritime operations, safeguarding ship propeller shafts from wear and corrosion while ensuring efficient propulsion. Their role in reducing friction and maintaining system integrity is critical. With growing environmental concerns, the adoption of environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs) for stern tubes has gained importance, balancing operational performance with environmental protection. This study investigates the rheological and tribological properties of EALs formulated for ship propeller stern tube applications. The primary focus is on comparing these EALs with conventional mineral oils to assess their suitability in marine environments. EALs are increasingly favored due to their biodegradability and reduced environmental impact. Key parameters such as shear stability, friction factor, and temperature dependency were evaluated using a range of experimental methods including rotational viscometry and tribological analysis. The results indicate that the newly formulated EALs based on synthetic esters exhibit the highest viscosity index, a higher range of shear stability, and lower friction factors, compared to commercially available mineral oils, especially under varying operational conditions. These findings contribute to the ongoing efforts to promote eco-friendly lubricants in maritime industries, aligning with global environmental protection initiatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Green Lubricants)
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11 pages, 2649 KiB  
Article
Laboratory Test of a Gear Hydraulic Pump during the Application of an Environmentally Friendly Hydraulic Fluid with Constant Pressure and Temperature
by Ján Kosiba, Zdenko Tkáč, Juraj Jablonický, Gabriela Čurgaliová, Juraj Tulík and Marek Halenár
Lubricants 2024, 12(9), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12090304 - 29 Aug 2024
Viewed by 792
Abstract
The use of environmentally friendly hydraulic fluids is frequently influenced by the temperature reached in the hydraulic circuit. This paper presents an analysis of the effect of temperature on the lifetime of the hydraulic fluid and the hydraulic pump. The test was carried [...] Read more.
The use of environmentally friendly hydraulic fluids is frequently influenced by the temperature reached in the hydraulic circuit. This paper presents an analysis of the effect of temperature on the lifetime of the hydraulic fluid and the hydraulic pump. The test was carried out by continuous loading with a pressure of 21 MPa and a temperature of 96 °C for 100 h. A pressure valve was used for the continuous loading and the temperature was maintained using a cooler. At intervals of 25 h, the flow characteristics of the hydraulic pump were measured and oil sampling was carried out. Subsequently, a comprehensive chemical and physical analysis was carried out. In the present paper, a comprehensive analysis of the influence of eco-friendly hydraulic fluid on the operation of a gear hydraulic pump has been carried out. The study itself did not show the negative influence of the eco-friendly hydraulic fluid on the operation of the gear hydraulic pump. It can be expected that the results of the study will enable the use of eco-friendly hydraulic fluids in environmentally sensitive areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Green Lubricants)
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17 pages, 3685 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Aromatic Organic Compounds as Additives on the Lubrication Properties of Castor Oil
by María Teresa Hernández-Sierra, José E. Báez, Luis Daniel Aguilera-Camacho, J. Santos García-Miranda and Karla J. Moreno
Lubricants 2024, 12(7), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12070244 - 4 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1096
Abstract
In the quest for sustainable lubrication solutions, the present research explored the potential of five organic compounds as additives in castor oil (CO) to improve its lubricating properties. The compounds tested were curcumin, eugenol, 1,3-Diphenyl-2-propanone, 1,3-Diphenyl-2-propenone, and 1,3-Diphenyl-1,3-propanedione. The main results showed that [...] Read more.
In the quest for sustainable lubrication solutions, the present research explored the potential of five organic compounds as additives in castor oil (CO) to improve its lubricating properties. The compounds tested were curcumin, eugenol, 1,3-Diphenyl-2-propanone, 1,3-Diphenyl-2-propenone, and 1,3-Diphenyl-1,3-propanedione. The main results showed that each additive enhanced at least one characteristic of CO. Most of the additives lowered the density of the castor oil but increased the viscosity by up to 20%. Curcumin and eugenol were particularly effective in creating thicker lubricant films and higher film thickness ratios. Eugenol and 1,3-Diphenyl-2-propanone significantly reduced the friction coefficient by up to 25%. Wear rate and wear mechanisms were significantly reduced with all the additives, achieving a reduction in wear rate of up to 50% (CO+curcumin). All the additives, except the 1,3-Diphenyl-1,3-propanedione, enhanced the oxidation onset temperature up to 8 °C. The influence of chemical structure was also addressed. The optimal additive combination for a specific application that demands minimal friction and wear, as well as strong oxidation stability, was eugenol, followed by curcumin and 1,3-Diphenyl-2-propanone. Overall, the research contributes to the development of eco-friendly lubricants, aligning with the growing demand for green industrial applications, and highlights the significant tribological benefits of these substances as sustainable additives in biolubricant formulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Green Lubricants)
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