EDS analysis of tribofilm formed on self-mated stainless steel lubricated by palm biodiesel

A ball on disk tribometer was used to investigate the wear of self-mated stainless steel lubricated by palm methyl ester (PME) mixed diesel oil. It is found that the wear resistance of the material is improved with the presence of palm methyl ester content in the diesel oil. EDS analyses were conducted to analyze the tribofilm formed on the contact interface of the ball. The results indicate the existence of metallic film mainly consisted of Mn on the worn surface of the ball lubricated by diesel oil without PME. On the other hand, the trace of Mn on the worn surface is much smaller in the case where palm methyl ester is mixed in the diesel oil.