Nanometer-Scale Mechanical Properties of MWCNT-Mustard Oil Nanofluid as a Potential Base Stoke

Abstract

Nowadays, environmentally friendly lubricants are developed to meet the standards of biodegradability, toxicity and bioaccumulation potential that reduce the adverse consequences to the aquatic atmosphere compared to conventional mineral based lubricants. In this study, an attempt made to enhance the feasibility of utilizing the Mustard oil as a commercial lubricating agent by homogeneously dispersing MWCNTs as an additive. The average crystallite size, surface morphology and elements of MWCNT are characterized through XRD, SEM, EDS and FTIR techniques, respectively. The surface deformation rate of matrix material (Mg) lubricated by Mustard oil and different weight fractions of MWCNT-Mustard oil nanofluid are estimated through Nanoindentation technique. The hardness, Young's modulus and AFM topography of the interacting surface infers that the dispersed MWCNT significantly enhance the lubricating properties of Mustard oil through micro-chipping and micro-softening effect.