The presented results show that the presence of refrigerant significantly deteriorates the lubricating properties of compressor oil under starved lubrication conditions (with a small amount of oil). The change can be 40–120% compared to the properties of the oil alone. Additionally, in the group of oils that are substitutes (operational alternatives) compatible with a given refrigerant, the effect of the refrigerant on the lubricating properties varies. The differences can be as much as 25%. In order to evaluate and properly select compressor oils for the refrigerant, the lubricating properties should be tested in a mixture with the refrigerant under conditions similar to actual operation. Such an evaluation of lubricating properties is made possible by the author’s method of testing the wear of the block-on-ring friction node. The obtained rankings of lubricating properties for oils (due to the wear volume) can provide good guidelines for the suitable selection of a lubricant for refrigeration compressors (especially for new, environmentally friendly refrigerants, such as R452A). The research was carried out for mixtures of zeotropic refrigerants (R404A, R452A) with polyester oils (POE) and natural refrigerant (R600a) with mineral oils (MO). In each group of refrigerants, different mechanisms of oil–refrigerant mixture formation occur. Each refrigerant was tested with three different compressor oils recommended for each other for alternative uses in refrigeration systems.

The problems with lubrication in refrigeration compressors are usually caused by the presence of the oil-refrigerant mixture in friction nodes. One cannot assess lubricity properties of oil under its operating conditions based on test results that characterize oil exclusively. For this purpose, it is necessary to test the lubricity properties of the oil-refrigerant mixture. The article presents the concept of an assessment method for the lubricity properties of oils for refrigeration compressors in a mixture with a refrigerant. The essential elements of the proposed method are the procedure for selecting wear test duration time (τt) and the oil-refrigerant mixture formation time (τm).

Current legal regulations concerning ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases result in a dynamic return to the use of natural refrigerants such as hydrocarbons. However, they are gases included in the A3 (combustible) security group, and that is why they are now mainly used in devices with low performance (mainly in household refrigerators). The most widely used hydrocarbon as a refrigerant in this group of devices is R600a (isobutene). The article presents a comparative assessment of the lubricity properties of oil-refrigerant mixtures of three mineral oils with R600a. The assessment was based on a sample wear volume of the block-on-ring node under the conditions approximating the operation of the compressor after an extensive standstill period. The oil/refrigerant mixture was obtained as a result of an appropriately extended mutual contact of both substances in a closed chamber.

Providing high-quality machinery and equipment in technical terms is an activity aimed primarily at ensuring the high reliability of nodes. Reliability of machinery and equipment is mainly characterized by resistance to destructive processes. Mutual displacement of parts causes destructive friction phenomena, the intensity of which can be intensified by the interaction of specific technological environments. The article presents the results of research on ring-on-ring samples made of C45 steel in the non-heat-treated state, which were subjected to mechanical, corrosive, and abrasive wear and various combinations of them. The main purpose of the study was to determine the wear that results from the action of destructive friction and corrosive processes with the presence of abrasive material in the tribological node. The results supplement the knowledge of material wear under the simultaneous action of several destructive factors. Based on the study, it was noticed that the sum component of mechanical–abrasive–corrosive interactions is about 40–50% of the total wear. Mass loss resulting from simultaneous mechanical and abrasive interactions is equal about one-third of the total wear. In addition, it was observed that the effects of the interactions of friction (mechanical), corrosive and abrasive excitations are synergistic in nature, which lead to increases in the total wear of the tested samples made of steel. The results of the research are of practical importance and allow for wear-optimal selection of material in the friction node of modern machinery and equipment.

There has currently been a dynamic return to applying natural refrigerants such as hydrocarbons. They are substances containing neither fluorine nor chlorine, which contribute to the enlargement of the ozone hole and the greenhouse effect. However, hydrocarbons are the substances from the A3 safety group (flammable) and, at present, are mainly used in appliances of low efficiency. The most widely used refrigerant in this category of appliances is R600a (isobutene). While repairing refrigeration appliances, there is often the need to remove the refrigerant and compressor oil from the system. Any impurities in the system are also removed. Should incorrect removal of the used oil from the installation occur, there is the risk that a certain amount of the oil and flushing fluid shall remain in the refrigeration system. The article presents an evaluation of the effect of a flushing fluid for refrigeration systems on lubricity properties of compressor oils. The article also describes the research on the use of R600a, a mineral oil of VG ISO 32 and commercially available FF1 flushing fluid, for refrigeration systems. The evaluation was made on the basis of the sample wear volume in the block-on-ring node under the conditions similar to compressor exploitation following a longer shut-off period. Three different lubricants were compared: a mixture of mineral oil with FF1 flushing fluid for refrigeration systems in the amount 20% by volume, a mixture of mineral oil with FF1 flushing fluid for refrigeration systems in the amount 50% by volume, and a mixture of mineral oil with FF1 flushing fluid for refrigeration systems in the amount 50% by volume with R600a.