Conference Proceedings of the 1st Abuja International Engineering

Conference (AIECO 2025), 2nd - 5th September, 2025

DETERMINATION OF FRICTION COEFFICIENT OF LOCAL

LUBRICANTS USING RING COMPRESSION TESTS

Kamardeen Adebayo OGUNBAJO1, Benjamin Iyenagbe UGHEOKE 1, Ibrahim Dauda

MUHAMMAD1 Emmanuel ONCHE1
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Abuja, Nigeria
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected],
[email protected]
Corresponding Author: [email protected], +2348111434271

ABSTRACT
Majority of the lubricants used in metal forming process are mineral based, thereby posing
environmental challenges due to their non-biodegradability upon release. This study investigates the
frictional properties of four vegetable-based oils and compares them with a selected mineral oil
(engine oil) in order to evaluate the suitability of vegetable oils as alternative lubricants to be used
in metal forming processes. Four aluminium samples were measured in the ratio 6:3:2 (Outer
Diameter: Inner Diameter: Height) and machined. The upper and lower jaws of the pressing machine
as well as the aluminium samples were then oiled with the lubricants and compressed up to a height
reduction of 60%. The percentage changes in Inner Diameter and Height were measured and
recorded. The viscosity of the lubricants were also determined using a digital viscometer. Friction
calibration curves as obtained by Head and Cockcroft were simulated using deform 3d software. The
friction coefficient was also calculated theoretically and compared with results obtained from
experiments. The Pearson correlation coefficient was found to be 0.998, indicating a positive
relationship exists between viscosity and friction coefficient. The barreling effect was also examined,
and it revealed that specimen height at the center was greater than specimen height at the edges,
which is due to the non-uniform deformation characteristics of ring compression tests.
Keywords: Barreling effects, Viscosity, Coefficient of friction, Lubricants, Ring compression.

1. Introduction
According to [1] majority of lubricants used in the industries turn out to be quite harmful to
both plants and humans when released into the environment, this is because they are not bio-
degradable. Researchers are motivated to find alternatives to mineral oil which gives the same or
even better properties [2]. Vegetable oils seems to be one of the alternative that has a potential to

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replace mineral based oil [3]. The authors revealed that, vegetable oil has less toxicity and is
biodegradable compared to petroleum based oils. Various sectors are currently using palm oil in their
production due to its engineering applications such as pharmaceuticals as stated by [4], as lubricants
as stated by [5] and also as a biodiesel fuel as stated by [6]. Several researchers have tested palm oil
and found it suitable for various engineering applications, as stated by [7] and [8]. Investigation of
100% palm oil as a lubricant was tested by [9], while palm oil with additives and palm oil emulsion
were also tested as lubricants and were found to be satisfactory as stated by [10]. All these helps to
show that palm oil has promising future for use as a lubricant in metal forming processes. Major
challenges in metal forming operations include: poor surface finish which usually occurs as a result
of poor lubrication.
The Ring Compression Test is based on the principle of changes in height and internal diameter of a
ring which is machined in the ration 6:3:2 (OD: ID: H), as the ring is compressed the percentage
change in internal diameter versus percentage change in height is measured which gives a knowledge
of the friction coefficient at the punch and ring interface.
If the internal diameter of the compressed ring increases during compression, it means the friction is
low and if internal diameter decreases during compression it means that the friction is high. With the
aid of this knowledge friction calibration curves were drawn. These curves were generated by Male
and Cockcroft as stated by [11] as shown in figure 1 below:

[11]
Figure 1: Friction Calibration Curves

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The above graphs is dependent of height strain and inner strain at various influences of friction, gives
calibration curves. When a hollow cylinder (small) is compressed axially between the flat, rigid and
parallel platens the inner diameter of the ring may increase, decrease or remain constant. At zero
condition of friction, the size of the hole increases in proportion to the outer diameter. And ring
compresses in such a manner as the corresponding portion of the compressed solid cylinder. Male
and Cockcroft generated the calibration curves by experimental method by assuming µ-friction in
inter contact of the ring and tool. The initial dimension of the ring is in the ratio 6:3:2 representing
Outer Diameter: Inner Diameter: Height. This ratio is adopted as a standard in the ring compression
test method.
It has been established that conventional Lubricants (mineral oils) that are used in
manufacturing as well as in plant and machinery for lubrication purposes have serious undesirable
effects on the environment when discharged. This is because they are non-biodegradable, whereas
palm oil, soya bean oil and other vegetable oils are biodegradable and decompose easily; therefore
this research seeks to determine the lubrication properties (friction coefficient and viscosity) of
vegetable oils and compare them to engine oil to find out if they can be suitable for use as lubricants
in metal forming operations.
2. Materials and Methods
This research seeks to determine the friction coefficient and viscosity of locally based
vegetable oils and compare them to engine oil in order to find out their suitability for use as lubricants
in metal forming processes, this way we can domesticate them and encourage their use in the
manufacturing industries. The effect of barreling is a common occurrence during the ring
compression test as stated by [12], hence the effect will also be studied.
2.1 Experimental Determination of Viscosity
Viscosity is a measure of the resistance of a fluid to deform under shear stress. It is commonly
perceived as flow behavior or resistance to pouring. Viscosity describes a fluids internal resistance
to flow and may be thought of as a measure of fluid friction [13]. In order to determine the viscosity
of the fluids, a motorized cylindrical rotor is immersed in the oil, the digital viscometer is then turned
on and the desired speed is selected based on manufacturer’s specification in this case the selected
speed is 750rpm. The rotational digital viscometer measures viscosity based on the assumption that
viscosity is directly proportional to a running torque required to produce a steady rotating motion
[13]. The torque value measured with the Viscometer is based on the rotating speed and the geometry

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of the spindle; after the viscometer stabilized at the selected speed the viscosity reading was noted.
The experiment was then repeated for palm oil, soya bean oil and palm kernel oil.
2.2 Simulation of Ring Compression Tests:
Friction coefficient is determined from the friction calibration chart by measuring the
percentage change in the height and the percentage change in the internal diameter of the specimen.
Male and Cockcroft generated these calibration curves experimentally by assuming µ-friction in inter
contact of the ring and tool. The initial dimension of the ring specimen is in the ratio 6:3:2 for Outer
Diameter: Inner Diameter: Height [14].
Finite Element Method using deform 3d software, was used to simulate and obtain the friction
calibration curves of the experiment performed by Head and Cockcroft so as to read off the
percentage change in height and percentage change in internal diameter as shown in figure 1 above.
The Al 3003 workpiece was taken as a plastic body, while the plates of the dies were taken as rigid
materials. This was done in order to enable accurate preparation of the friction calibration curves. To
achieve this a solid model of the work piece and the dies were made using solid works 2021, these
were then imported into deform 3d software for the simulation process, which was done at 20℃.
2.3 Experimental Determination of Friction Coefficient
According to [14] the standard dimensions of the ring compression tests are outer diameter:
inner diameter: height =6:3:2. In this test a ring specimen is compressed between the flat and parallel
plates. The coefficient of friction is determined from the calibration curves by measuring the change
in the internal diameter and change in the height of the specimen. A cylindrical rod of Aluminium Al
3003 was used. The initial dimension of the ring is in the ratio 6:3:2 representing Outer Diameter:
Inner Diameter: Height. The aluminium 3003 rod of diameter 30mm was machined on a lathe
machine to outer diameter 25mm. It was then cut into 4 heights of 8.33mm each and each was drilled
to internal diameter of 12.5mm, the specimen surface was well finished in order to minimize surface
roughness, and ensure that all specimen have approximately the same surface finish. The specimen,
and both end of the press were then lubricated with engine oil and mounted on a hydraulic pressing
machine and pressed up till 60% compression, the specimen was then removed and the internal
diameter and height were measured [14]. The percentage change in internal diameter and percentage
change in height were determined and plotted on the friction calibration curves in order to obtain the
friction coefficient.

The experiment was then repeated using palm oil, palm kernel oil and soya bean oil and the
corresponding percentage changes in internal diameter and heights were determined after which the

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friction coefficients were determined from the friction calibration curves. All these experiments were
conducted at 22℃.

2.4 Theoretical Determination of Friction Coefficient

According to [14], the friction coefficient can be calculated theoretically using the formula below:

𝑟 𝛥𝑟
( 𝑖 )+( 𝑖 )
𝑟𝑜 𝛥𝑟𝑜
𝑟𝑛 = 𝑟𝑜 √ 𝑟 𝛥𝑟 (1)
( 𝑜 )+( 𝑖 )
𝑟𝑖 𝛥𝑟𝑜

𝑟 2 𝑟 4
−1 𝑟𝑖 2 ( 𝑛 ) +√3+ ( 𝑛 )
𝑟𝑜 𝑟𝑜
m= 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 x ln (𝑟 ) x (2)
2 𝑜 (1+ 𝑖 −2 𝑛 ) 𝑜 𝑟𝑛 2 𝑟𝑖 4 𝑟 2
( ) + √3( ) +( 𝑛 )
ℎ𝑓 𝑟𝑜 𝑟𝑜
𝑟𝑜 𝑟𝑜 𝑟𝑜

𝑚
µ= (3)
√3

3. Results and Discussion

Table 1: Viscosities of the Selected Oils

S/NO OIL TYPE VISCOSITY TEMPERATURE TORQUE (%)
(mPa.S) (⁰C)
1. Engine oil 78.0 26.3 78.0

2. Soya bean Oil 62.2 26.3 62.2

3. Palm Oil 39.6 26.4 39.6

4. Palm Kernel Oil 28.6 26.5 28.6

Figure 2: Machined Specimen before Figure 3 Machined Specimen after

Compression Compression

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100
0.5
80 0.4
% Change in Internal Diameter
0.3
60
0.2
40 0.15

20 0.12
0.1
0 0.09
-20 0.08
0.07
-40
0.05
-60 0.04
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 0.03
% Change in Height 0.02

Figure 4: Friction Calibration Curves for Al 3003

Table 2: Experimental Determination of Friction Coefficient
Lubricant Do Di H Di(f) H(f) % % Friction
Reduction Reduction Coefficient
in Di in H (µ)
Engine Oil 25.0 12.5 8.3 7.88 3.83 0.37 0.54 0.17
Soyabean Oil 25.0 12.5 8.3 8.25 3.83 0.34 0.54 0.15

Palm Oil 25.0 12.5 8.3 8.875 3.83 0.29 0.54 0.12
Palm Kernel 25.0 12.5 8.3 9.375 3.83 0.25 0.54 0.10
Oil

Table 3: Theoretical Determination of Friction Coefficient

Lubricant Do(f) Di(f) H(f) Ro(f) Ri(f) ΔRi ΔRo Rn Friction Friction
Factor Coefficient
(m) (µ)
Engine Oil 33.19 7.88 3.83 16.595 3.94 2.31 4.095 6.798 0.3171 0.183
Soya bean 33.19 8.25 3.83 16.595 4.125 2.125 4.095 6.822 0.2949 0.170
Oil
Palm Oil 33.19 8.875 3.83 16.595 4.4375 1.8125 4.095 6.8376 0.2622 0.151
Palm Kernel 33.19 9.375 3.83 16.595 4.6875 1.5625 4.095 6.6167 0.2472 0.143
Oil

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Table 4: Comparison between Experimental and Theoretical Values of Friction Coefficient

Lubricant Experimental Value of Theoretical Value of
Friction Coefficient (µ) Friction Coefficient (µ)

Engine Oil 0.17 0.183

Soya bean Oil 0.15 0.170

Palm Oil 0.12 0.151

Palm Kernel Oil 0.10 0.143

Figure 5: Matrix plot of friction coefficient and viscosity

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Figure 6: Compressive force for µ =0.17 Figure 7: Compressive force for µ =0.15

Figure 8: Compressive force for µ =0.12 Figure 9: Compressive force for µ =0.10

Figure10: Barreling effect at µ =0.17 Figure11: Barreling effect at µ =0.15

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Figure12: Barreling effect at µ =0.12 Figure 13: Barreling effect at µ =0.10

3.1 Discussion of Results

Table 1 shows the viscosities of the selected oils used in the experiment, while Table 2 shows
friction coefficients values of the selected oils which were determined experimentally. Table 3 shows
the friction coefficient values which were determined theoretically from equation 1 which shows
friction factor, and equation 2 which gives the friction coefficient. Table 3 is a comparison between
experimental and theoretical values of friction coefficients.
Figure 4 gives the calibration curves which were derived from simulation of the experiment
performed by Head and Cockcroft, they indicate various values of friction coefficients and the
corresponding percentage changes in internal diameter and percentage changes in height.
Figure 5 gives the matrix plot of friction coefficients and viscosity of the selected lubricants.
These results indicate that viscosity and friction coefficient show positive correlation since as
viscosity decreases, friction coefficient also decreases and vice versa. The Pearson correlation
coefficient was determined and found to be 0.998, further confirming a direct relationship between
coefficient of friction and viscosity.
Figures 6-9 shows the maximum compressive force for varying friction coefficient, it also
confirms positive correlation since as compressive force decreases, the friction coefficient decreases
and vice versa.
Figures 10-13 shows the barreling effect that occurs at the test specimen during the ring
compression tests. It was observed that changes in height of the specimen were greater at the center
and lower at the edges leading to larger internal diameter at the center and reduced internal diameter
at the edges. This is referred to as barreling effects, which simply means non- uniform deformation
of a ring specimen under compression causing it to slightly bulge outwards. This is due to friction

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between the ring and the compression plates, leading to a triaxial stress state instead of the ideal
uniaxial stress state as reported by [15].
4. Conclusions
This research seeks to determine the friction properties of selected vegetable based oils, palm
oil, soya bean oil and palm kernel oil, while comparing them to engine oil. This is to determine their
suitability for use as lubricants in the metal forming process. This is because a major problem
associated with mineral based oils engine oil inclusive is their non-biodegradability which makes
them harmful when released into the environment. The research study shows that friction coefficient
and viscosity have positive correlation, since the Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated as
0.998 indicating that as friction coefficient decreases, viscosity also decreases and vice versa. Also
maximum up compressive force showed positive correlation with friction coefficient, as the
maximum compressive force reduced, the friction coefficient also reduced and vice versa. Lastly the
barreling effect was also investigated and indicated that height of specimen at center is higher than
that obtained at the edges indicating larger internal diameter at the center and reduced internal
diameter at the edges. This is due to non-uniform deformation which occurs in the upsetting process.
Acknowledgements
My sincere appreciation goes to Mr Nicholas Agbo of Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria,
Kaduna State and Mr Omenka of Joseph Tarka University Makurdi for their assistance in the success
of this work.
References
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Ball Tribotester. Tribology Transactions, 59(5), 883-888.
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[5]. Dandan, M., A., Yahaya, A., & Syahrullail, S. (2019). The Effect of the Different Percentage
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Processing Technology, 243, 465-473.

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Nomenclature
Do= Initial outer diameter of specimen
Di= Initial inner diameter of specimen
H= Initial height of specimen
Di(f)= Inner diameter of specimen after compression
Do(f)= Outer diameter of specimen after compression
Rn= Nominal radius of specimen
ΔRo= Changes in outer diameter of specimen
ΔRi= Changes in inner diameter of specimen
m= Friction factor
µ= Friction coefficient

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