Micro Particle Image Velocimetry study of high viscosity lubricant with magnetic debries

Abstract

Lubrication of moving parts is essential in the operation of machinery, meaning inmost cases that an inefficient lubrication may lead to a shortage in the useful life of a machine and a higher operating cost.Grease is generally preferred over oil because it holds it shape, protects over corrosion, lowers friction and prevents leakage. Lithium and lithium complex greases dominate the market nowadays, but economical, environmental and technical reasons make the change to polymer based greases an interesting approach.This thesis make use of the microPIV technique to make a technical comparative between a lithium and a polymer grease through the passage inside a microchannel.This way, their velocity profiles and transient envelopes are measured, giving special insight in the grease properties.The data measured through the microPIV experiments can be helpful to assess thepossibility of transitioning to polymer based greases, alongside with its expected advantages