Technical Paper
Comparative Analysis of the Lubrication, Friction, and Wear of Injection System Materials, with Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene, Jet-A, and ULSD
2023-10-31
2023-01-1633
Alternative fuels are sought after because they produce lower emissions and sometimes, they have feedstock and production advantages over fossil fuels, but their wear effects on engine components are largely unknown. In this study, the lubricity properties of a Fischer-Tropsch Gas-to-Liquid alternative fuel (Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene-S8) and of Jet-A fuel were investigated and compared to those of Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD). A pin-on-disk tribometer was employed to test wear and friction for a material pair of an AISI 316 steel ball on an AISI 1018 steel disk when lubricated by the fuels in this research work. Advanced digital microscopy was used to compare the wear patterns of the disks. Viscosity and density analysis of the tested fluids were also carried out. Tribometry for the fuel showed that S8 fell between Jet-A and ULSD when friction force was calculated and showed higher wear over time and after each test when compared to that of Jet-A and ULSD.
