Tribological behavior of oils additised with a phosphonium-derived ionic liquid compared to a commercial oil

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to study the antifriction, antiwear and tribolayer formation properties of the trihexyltetradecylphosphonium bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinate ionic liquid (IL) as additive at 1 wt.% in two base oils and their mixtures, comparing the results with those of a commercial oil. Design/methodology/approach: The mixture of the base oils used in the formulation of the commercial oil SAE 0W20 plus the IL was tested under rolling/sliding and reciprocating conditions to determine the so-called Stribeck curve, the tribolayer formation and the antifriction and antiwear behaviors. Findings: The use of this IL as additive in these oils does not change their viscosity; improves the antifriction and antiwear properties of the base oils, making equal or outperforming these properties of the SAE 0W20; and the thickness and formation rate of the tribolayer resulting from the IL-surface interaction is highly dependent on the type of base oil and influence on the friction and wear results. Originality/value: The use of this IL allows to replace partial or totally commercial antifriction and antiwear additives. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-05-2020-0179/