JUSTIFICATION OF RATIONAL PARTICLE SIZE OF THICKENING ADDITIVE FOR VEGETABLE LUBRICANT BASED ON RAPESEED OIL

The aim of the research is to theoretically substantiate the rational particle size of the thickening additive (Litol-24) to the vegetable lubricant based on rapeseed oil when forming a lubricant composition intended for use in tractor mechanical transmission units. There is an urgent scientific problem of increasing the physicochemical and tribological properties of plant lubricant, in particular, increasing its viscosity. This effect can be achieved by using special thickening additives, for example, Litol-24. The article provides an analysis of the processes of precipitation of thickening additive particles in the gravitational field and during the operation of tractor transmission units. Theoretical dependences for determination of rational particle size of thickening additive in static mode from the condition of long-term (up to 6 months) storage of agricultural machinery, as well as in dynamic mode from the condition of particle hovering in the volume of RSM are offered. The influence of design features of transmission units of tractor models wide-spread in agricultural production on the process of thickening additive particles deposition in static and dynamic mode is analyzed, recommendations on determination of particle size taking into account this parameter are given. Taking into account the limiting factors, the rational particle size of the thickening additive was determined by the calculation method, excluding their rapid deposi-tion both during storage and during transportation and field work. The particle size of the additive in the range of 1.08 10-6... 1.2 10-6 m was recognized as rational.