Anti-wear and friction performance of ZrO2 nanoparticles as lubricant additive

The surface of ZrO2 nanoparticles was modified with silane coupling agent KH-560 by dispersing the nanoparticles in 20# machine oil. The tribological performance of the 20# machine oil with ZrO2 nanoparticles was evaluated by a four-ball tester and a thrust-ring machine. The loss of the thrust-ring weight was measured by an electronic balance with a precision of 0.0001 g. The worn surface was examined under a metallographic microscope with 400-times magnification. The results showed that the average friction coefficient decreased by 27.34%, and that the weight loss of the thrust-ring indicated no wear or negative wear, the wear loss after six loads tests being −0.0163 g. The anti-wear (AW) and reducing friction (RF) abilities of the oil with ZrO2 nanoparticles addition were considerably improved, maximizing at an additive concentration of 0.5 wt%.

Graphical abstract20# machine oil with surface-modified ZrO2 nanoparticles showed a decreased average friction coefficient by 27.34%, and the weight loss of the thrust-ring indicated no wear or negative wear. The anti-wear and friction- reducing abilities of the oil with ZrO2 additive were considerably improved, maximizing at an additive concentration of 0.5 wt%.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide