Extreme pressure properties of nanolubricants for metal-forming applications

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the extreme pressure properties of CuO and TiO₂ nanoparticle additives with the incorporation of a surfactant within a synthetic fluid for metal-forming applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper studies the effect of CuO and TiO₂ nanoparticle additives at various concentrations (0.01, 0.05 and 0.10 wt. per cent) in a synthetic lubricant fluid under extreme pressure conditions. Oleic acid surfactant is added to the nanolubricant to improve dispersion and stability of nanoparticles. Extreme pressure tribological tests are performed on a four-ball T-02 tribotester according to the ITEePib Polish method for testing lubricants under conditions of scuffing.

Findings

The results show that the addition CuO and TiO₂ nanoparticles under the presence of OA resulted in an increase of the load-carrying capacity (poz) of the lubricant up to 137 and 60 per cent, respectively. The seizure load was also increased by 50 and 15 per cent, respectively.

Practical implications

The results show that CuO and TiO₂ nanoparticles can be successfully used as additives improving extreme pressure properties of lubricants.

Originality/value

This demonstrates the potential of nanoparticle additives using surfactants for improving the extreme pressure properties of lubricants. These nanolubricants can be used for metal-forming applications like deep-drawing, achieving an increased tool life.

Citation

Peña-Parás, L., Maldonado-Cortés, D., Taha-Tijerina, J., García-Pineda, P., Garza, G.T., Irigoyen, M., Gutiérrez, J. and Sánchez, D. (2016), "Extreme pressure properties of nanolubricants for metal-forming applications", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 68 No. 1, pp. 30-34. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-05-2015-0069