Influence of surface topography on frictional properties of Cu surfaces under different lubrication conditions: Comparison of dry, base oil, and ZnS nanowire-based lubrication system

This work deals with the frictional properties of ductile Cu surfaces of varying morphologies under three different lubrication conditions including dry, base oil only, and nanowire+base oil. It was found that the frictional properties of base oil and nanowire-based lubrication system strongly depended on the surface topography while the friction for the dry surfaces was independent of the surface topography.

► This study deals with the effect of shearing surface topography on nanowire lubricants.
► Addition of ZnS nanowires in dodecane, on average, reduces the friction forces by 34%.
► Surface topography causes up to 40% difference in the friction force for ZnS nanowire lubricant.
► Friction under dry conditions is independent of the surface topography for the same surfaces.