Research of the anti-wear properties of modified lubricants under conditions simulating the cylinder-piston group of a marine diesel engine

   The paper presents the results of studies of modified lubricants intended for operation in the cylinder–piston group of medium-speed marine diesel engines.

   The object of the study is an anti-wear additive containing fullerene clusters C60 and C70, as well as iron oxide Fe₃O₄ doped with manganese in an oleic acid medium, which prevents agglomeration of nanoparticles and precipitation.

   The tests were carried out on a specialized test rig equipped with a magnetic field generator simulating the reciprocating motion of a piston made of gray cast iron. The duration of each cycle was 1000 hours of continuous operation. The main variable parameters were contact pressure (0.5–1.5 MPa) and the presence of an external magnetic field in the friction zone. Mass and linear wear were compared for the base circulating oil, the composition with an additive without an applied magnetic field, and the composition with an applied magnetic field. The experimental data demonstrate that the introduction of the additive significantly increases the wear resistance of the friction pair compared to the base oil, presumably due to the formation of a metal–fullerene film. The application of an external magnetic field led to deterioration of tribological characteristics, which is explained by the concentration of ferromagnetic wear products in the piston reversal zone acting as an abrasive. The maximum reduction in wear rate was observed without a magnetic field at pressures of 1.0–1.5 MPa, which corresponds to wear resistance class 11. In the presence of a magnetic field, the indicator decreases to class 10. The additive is effective as a friction modifier without magnetic activation, as it forms a protective film on the surface of parts of the cylinder–piston group, ensuring service life up to major overhaul. It has been established that mass wear under optimal conditions is significantly reduced, which confirms the high efficiency of the development for modern maritime transport.

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