During the contact between metallic surfaces in mechanical systems, some dynamic characteristics present significant changes as the vibration signal patterns. The acquisition and characterization of these signals, by the use of Fourier Transform (FT), are non-intrusive tools in the evaluation of lubricity. This study aimed to evaluate dynamically the fuels lubricity (diesel S50, biodiesel and its blends) by the reciprocating sliding of a ball against a flat disc (AISI 52100 steel). After that, the vibration signals were evaluated by statistical test and FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) and STFT (Short-Time Fourier Transform) analyses and verified their associations with parameters supplied by ASTM D6079. The results present a correlation between lubricity, frequency spectrum and the parameters of profiles from the worn disc surface. In addition, the evolution of wear scars presented an influence of the biodiesel content in these fuels.

The current environmental scenario has required changes in fuel nature, in order to minimize the harmful effects caused by sulfur in diesel. However, reductions in sulfur content promote loss of its lubricity and consequently wear in the injection system of the diesel engine. This study aimed to investigate the influence of sulfur minimization on fuel lubricity and wear of metallic disks. The fuel tribological analysis was carried out in HFRR equipment in accordance with ASTM D 6079 - 04. The tested fuels were diesel oil with 50, 500 and 1800 ppm sulfur, and their blends of soybean and sunflower biodiesel (5, 20 and 100% in volume). The results showed an increase of disks wear with reduction of sulfur content when lubricated with pure diesel. This fact was decreased when biodiesel was added to all concentrations.

The contact of diesel fuel with engine subsystems demands a good wear resistance. Lubricity is an important feature for integrity of injection system and the sulphur composites are primarily responsible for lubrication of the injector nozzle. Biodiesel is responsible for partially restoring the lubricity of diesel fuel that presents low levels of sulphur composites and, furthermore, it causes less pollution than diesel fuel. The lubricity is measured through the wear scar diameter following the ASTM D 975 standards. However, the friction and wear with light loads of micro/nanocomponents are highly dependent on surface interactions that can be evaluated by microscopy techniques. This study aimed to measure and to analyze the biodiesel lubricity and their blends (B5, B20) with diesel by observing the wear scars of discs using the scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and micro roughness techniques. The fuels performance was evaluated using HFRR tribometer. The tests conditions were based on standard ADTM D-6079-04. The coefficient of friction was measure during the test. After the test, the worn ball and disc were analyzed by SEM, AFM and profilometer. The results showed that the addition of biodiesel in diesel improve the tribological performance of fuel. Also, the just WSD value is not sufficient to evaluate the lubrication ability of a fuel. Analysis of the worn disc surfaces proved to be compatible with WSD number and also more sensitive to these kinds of fuels, showing mainly the form and intensity of the wear.