Boric Acid as an Effective Lubricant Additive in Glycerol Ethoxylate Aqueous Solution

Global temperature increases and more frequent extreme climate events have intensified the challenges faced by oil-based lubricants, including environmental impact and resource depletion. In recent years, glycerol ethoxylate (GE), a non-toxic and low-cost compound, has shown promise as a water-based lubricants capable of replacing conventional oil-based systems. Boric acid (BA) is an effective additive that significantly improves the extreme pressure performance of water-based lubricants. This study demonstrates that adding BA to a GE aqueous solution decreases the friction coefficient by five times and increases extreme pressure by 12.5%. Higher concentrations of BA promote the formation of a lubricating film, enhancing the hydrodynamic pressure effect. The findings provide valuable insights into the formulation and tribological behavior of eco-friendly lubricants, promoting sustainable manufacturing, longer equipment life, and improved reliability.