Exploitation of albite at elevated temperatures to ensure smooth, efficient, and long-lasting lubrication to minimise friction and wear, enhance metal-formability, and extend tool life in metal-forming

The adoption of lubricants in metal forming processes at high temperatures holds particular significance. This practice facilitates reducing friction and wear, enhances metal formability, prevent seizure and galling, and extends tool life. However, elevated temperatures cause changes in lubricant properties, making it difficult to maintain effective lubrication. These changes may negatively affect the quality and efficiency of the forming process. Given the severity undergone at high temperatures, several solid inorganic salts are reported as an alternative to exhibit favourable lubrication performance. In this study, the lubrication performance of environmentally friendly albite (NaAlSi₃O₈) was evaluated through ball-on-disc tests at elevated temperatures ranging from 550 to 950°C. The results demonstrate that albite can effectively decrease friction and wear loss across the tested temperature range, with a more pronounced effect at higher temperatures (890 and 950°C). The high-temperature lubrication mechanism of albite is attributed to the formation of a thick layer containing Na, Si, and O elements within the tribo-interface, which prevents direct contact between rubbing surfaces.