Study on the tribological behaviors of copper nanoparticles in three kinds of commercially available lubricants

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the tribological properties of Cu nanoparticles (NPs) as lubricant additives in three kinds of commercially available lubricants. Design/methodology/approach A four-ball machine is used to estimate the tribological properties of Cu NPs as lubricant additives in three kinds of commercially available lubricants. Three-dimensional optical profiler and electrical contact resistance are evaluated to investigate the morphology of the worn surfaces and the influence of Cu NPs on tribofilms. Findings Wear tests show that the addition of Cu NPs as lubricant additives could reduce wear and increase load-carrying capacity of commercially available lubricants remarkably, indicating that Cu NPs have a good compatibility with the existing lubricant additives in commercially available lubricants. Originality/value The tribological properties of Cu NPs as lubricant additives in three kinds of commercially available lubricants were investigated in this paper. These results are reliable and can be very helpful for application of Cu NPs as lubricant additives in industry.

A Review of Friction Performance of Lubricants with Nano Additives

“…It has been reported that when copper nanoparticles are employed as an additive in SAE 5w-40 oil at an optimum concentration of 0.8 wt%, the resulting COF is reduced by almost 13% when tests are conducted on a four-ball tribotester. In same study, Cu nanoparticles were also used as additives in SAE 5w-20 oil, and it was found that when 1.6 wt% of Cu nanoparticles were added, the COF was reduced by 28.5% [ 45 ]. It has also been reported that the COF of the lubricant oil SAE 40 is improved by a factor of 14% when Cu nanoparticles at an optimum concentration of 0.01 vol% are used in a four-ball tribotester [ 38 ].…”

Metal-containing nanomaterials as lubricant additives: State-of-the-art and future development

“…Metallic NPs have unique chemical and physical properties as lubricant additives [59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71]. Nano-metals with low shear stress, high extension, and low melting point have been used as FMs owing to their excellent friction-reducing, anti-wear, and self-repairing ability.…”

“…Nano-metals with low shear stress, high extension, and low melting point have been used as FMs owing to their excellent friction-reducing, anti-wear, and self-repairing ability. Among metallic NPs, Cu-containing nanolubricants have received particular attention owing to their remarkable properties [59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71]. Copper NPs usually have small particle size, low melting point, and the desired ductility; therefore, they are well perceived as an excellent AW and EP agent in comparison with similar products [72,73].…”

The Tribological Mechanism of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles as Lubricant Additive of Poly-Alpha Olefin

“…In recent years, the use of nanomaterials as lubricant additives has become an important research area due to their potential excellent anti-wear and friction-reducing in tribology [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Along with soaring of environmental concern for lubricating oil products and enforcement of more strict environmental protection laws, the demand for green lubricating oil additives rises [10].…”