Beeswax Material as Corrosion Inhibitor in a Brake Oil System

Abstract

One of the most important additives used in the braking system is anti-corrosion providing corrosion protection for metals used in braking systems, including cast iron, aluminum, steel, copper, and brass. Beeswax is a biocorrosion inhibitor in braking systems tested. It is cheap, environmental-friendly, a source of nature, and a secondary product in the life of bees. The additive was added in several concentrations of weight percent (wt%), and the method of weight loss was used to study the effect of beeswax as a corrosion inhibitor. The result is an enhancement in corrosion resistance with beeswax content increasing. Many tests, such as an atomic force microscope (AFM), were used to observe the aluminum surface's topography. The result shows a decrease in surface roughness with beeswax additives. Besides, a rheometer and tensiometer were used to study the flow behavior of brake oil/beeswax at different shear rates and shear stresses. It shows a dramatic drop in viscosity as its concentration increases. Beeswax can be considered an environmentally friendly additive and has exhibited a good corrosion inhibitor even in severe acidic environments. The result showed that the brake oil/beeswax fluid offers excellent corrosion protection for metal components and lubricating properties that reduce wear.