Tribological evaluation and lubrication mechanisms of nanoparticles enhanced lubricants in cold rolling

Abstract

Base oils containing different nanoparticles with varying concentrations are prepared, in which SiO2, TiO2 and ZnO (20 nm) nanoparticles are employed to improve the lubrication performance. Their tribological properties are evaluated on a ball-on-disk tribometer. The results show that the nano-additive lubricants exhibit a good friction reduction and anti-wear ability at the optimal concentration of 1.0 wt.%, in which SiO2 nanoparticles can reduce the coefficient of friction (COF) and the area of wear scar (AWS) by 45.6% and 35%, respectively. The SiO2 nanoparticles exhibit the best potential additive tested. The lubrication mechanisms of the nanoparticles can be attributed to the rolling, mending and the protective films.