Title: Experimental study on the tribological properties of CuO-based biodegradable nanolubricants for machine tool slideways

Authors: P. Nallasamy; N. Saravanakumar; Gukan Rajaram; R.K. Rishwin Kumar

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, PSG Institute of Technology and Applied Research, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract: Bio-lubricants are biodegradable and non-toxic. Bio-based lubricants are an attractive alternative to conventional mineral oil-based lubricants. This study deals with the tribological investigation of biodegradable nanolubricants which could be applied in machine tool slideways. The nanoparticle used was copper oxide (CuO) and the biodegradable oils used were coconut oil, sesame oil, olive oil, sunflower oil and soybean oil. The nanolubricants were prepared by adding 0.1% wt. of CuO nanoparticles in each biodegradable base oil. Experiments were conducted on a pin on block type reciprocating friction monitor and four ball tester. Friction, stick-slip and wear characteristics were analysed. The test results showed that the addition of CuO nanoparticles in biodegradable oils improve friction reduction and antiwear properties. The mechanism of friction reduction is found to be the formation of tribofilm through deposition of CuO nanoparticles on the wear surfaces. Field testing was conducted for the best nanolubricants.

Keywords: biodegradable oil; nanolubricant; CuO nanoparticle; reciprocating friction monitor; RFM; four ball tester; stick slip friction; antifriction; antiwear.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSURFSE.2018.094771

International Journal of Surface Science and Engineering, 2018 Vol.12 No.3, pp.194 - 206

Received: 09 Jun 2017
Accepted: 23 Dec 2017
Published online: 15 Sep 2018 *

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