Tribocorrosion behaviour of biodiesel - A review

Abstract

Biodiesel serves as the best alternative candidate to diesel fuel for diesel engines as a result of its ability to function as substitute to meet with the rising energy demand. Biodiesel is considered more environmentally friendly than fossil fuel because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions. This paper focuses on the tribocorrosion behaviour of biodiesel followed by development of tribocorrosion model with the aim of understanding the combined effects of tribology and corrosion (synergism) for automotive tribo-component materials under biodiesel. A systematic review analysis was performed on tribology and corrosion test analysis for different biodiesel feedstock and factors affecting tribocorrosion system. Established theoretical model has been developed to evaluate the corrosive wear of materials with a well-controlled experimental laboratory set up as proposed. This review proffers an insight into the interactions of electrochemical and mechanical conditions of the different parameters, which govern the behavior of tribocorrosion systems. The emergence of the combined study on tribocorrosion for automotive component parts provides a methodological study to evaluate the combined behaviour based on the mechanical and synergistic effect occurring simultaneously on the automotive material in biodiesel. It was found from the study that synergism of wear and corrosion play an important role on the performance of biodiesel. Finally, it is expected that the theoretical model and proposed model set up for biodiesel biocompatible with automotive engine component materials will enhance the reliability and performance. © 2014 Japanese Society of Tribologists.