Low friction in self-mated silicon carbide tribosystem using nanodiamond as lubricating additive in water

Abstract

Nanodiamond particles (NDPs) have been considered as a potential lubricant additive to various tribological applications, such as water lubrication systems. In this study, the tribological properties of silicon carbide (SiC) lubricated by NDPs dispersed in water are investigated utilizing the ball-on-disk tribometer. It is found that the slight addition of NDP to water (i.e., 0.001 wt%) can distinctly accelerate the running-in process, which is necessary to achieve a friction coefficient (μ) as low as 0.01. This study also discusses two NDP functional terminations —hydroxyl and carboxyl. It is demonstrated that the use of carboxyl-terminated NDP over a wide range of concentration (0.001 wt%–1 wt%) yields a low friction force. In contrast, the ideal effective concentration of hydroxyl-terminated NDP is considerably limited because agglomeration in this material is more probable to occur than in the former. Meanwhile, when utilizing NDPs, the input friction energy (Pin, defined as the product of sliding speed and applied load) is found to have an essential function. Several sliding tests were implemented at various Pin values (50–1,500 mW) using carboxyl-terminated water-dispersed NDPs. It was observed that the μ and wear decreased with increasing Pin when 200 mW < Pin < 1,500 mW. However, when Pin < 200 mW, low friction with high wear occurs compared with the resulting friction and wear when pure water is used.

Nanodiamond Particles as Secondary Additive for Polyalphaolefin Oil Lubrication of Steel–Aluminium Contact

“…Improvement in lubrication of AISI 52100 steel ball sliding against cast-iron diesel engine liner by SAE15W40 API CH-4 oil, upon addition of ND particles, has been observed by Javeed et al [6]. ND particles have proved to improve lubrication performance of surfaces sliding under aqueous glycerol lubrication [7] and also for water lubrication [8]. Ivanov et al [1] suggest that ND particles have potential as lubricant additives for engine oils, process lubricants, metalworking fluids, gear oils and hydraulic fluids.…”

Application of Nano-Crystalline Diamond in Tribology

“…In addition, to being employed as a lubricating additive in oil-based lubricants, NCD powders have exhibited their advantages as an additive in a water-based lubricants. Both researches conducted by Wang et al [ 79 ] and Alias et al [ 80 ] testified that the tribological properties were improved after adding 0.001 wt.% NCD in water, which was investigated by utilizing a ball-on-disk tribometer. The tribological performance of NCD additives in water has also been investigated by experiments and molecular dynamic simulations (MD) by Mirzaamiri et al [ 81 ].…”

Tailored surface textures to increase friction—A review

“…Different approaches can be pursued to optimize and tailor the tribological response of a system. In this regard, lubrication strategies based upon new lubricants such as water [28][29][30] or ionic liquids [31,32], tailored additives [33][34][35] or even solid lubrication [36][37][38][39] are subject of ongoing research activities. Moreover, the deposition of low shear-strength coatings, particularly by physical or chemical vapor deposition [40], has been proven to be an efficient way to control friction and wear.…”