Boundary lubrication properties of lipid-based compounds evaluated using microtribological methods

Microscale friction tests were utilized to evaluate the boundary lubrication behavior of three sets of branched compounds and their corresponding linear compounds. The performances of the compounds were compared to that of lipid-based saturated and unsaturated acids, esters and alcohols as well as to that of commercial synthetic lubricant formulations. At low concentrations (similar to 0.5%) in paraffin oil and for the load conditions used, the branched compounds showed minor differences in friction behavior as compared to their linear counterparts. The ester compounds by comparison showed higher friction behavior than alcohols and acids.