FRICTION AND WEAR OF JATROPHA CURCAS OIL USING A FOUR BALLS TESTER

摘要

The searching of new source of energy and the reduction of lubricant feedstock justify the seeking of alternatives sources to produce oil and biodiesel. In the other hand, in the last years in Mexico, the petroleum reserves have been decreased from 2,958 million barrels per day in 2010 to 2,938 million barrels per day in 2011[1]. Several works have been focused on the tribological characterisation of the oil and biodiesel from different source (palm, animal fat, coconut, soya, etc.) in other countries vegetables oil have been identified and used either as biolubricant in many application or biodiesel[2, 3, 4]. In Mexico, new regulations allow developing and promoting the bioenergetics mainly biomass. Nevertheless, Jatropha curcas has attracted the attention of various research organisations, governments, public and international developmental agencies and industries in the tropics and subtropics due to its adaptability to semi-arid marginal sites, the possibility of using the oil as a biodisel substitute and its role in the erosion control. Thus, Jatropha curcas oil JCO has been produced and processed to obtain biodiesel, however little research has been carried out on the tribological performance of the oil and biodiesel [5, 6]. With the four ball test rig is possible to simulate the anti wear and anti friction properties of oils, so, the test method gives a clear indication of the performance of oils and oils mixtures tested.