Modelling Tribological Performance of Bodymaker Lubricants

Bodymaker lubricants are oil-in-water emulsions used as coolants in the ironing process during production of aluminium cans. Lubricants are formulated to diminish friction during ironing and to cool down the mechanical contact interface. In the present work, a methodology based on algebraic modelling of the process is proposed to select among bodymaker lubricants, featuring their tribological performance. Experimental results are obtained by "pin-and-vee" test protocol, mathematical model exhibits good agreement with experimental observations. In general, tests carried out indicate that different bodymaker lubricants exhibit different wear rates, therefore evaluation of this rate can be used as tool to discriminate among lubricants performance. At present, this approach is being successfully used by a lubricant making company to evaluate and compare the performance of commercial bodymaker lubricants.