Effect of Lubricant with Nanodiamond Particles in Sliding Friction

Abstract

This paper presents the experimental effects of lubricant with nanodiamond particles in sliding friction. In order to improve the performance of lubricants many additives are used, such as MoS₂, cadmium chloride, indium, sulfides, and phosphides. These additives are harmful to human health and to the environment, so alternatives are necessary. One such alternative is nanodiamond powder, which has a large surface area. In order to investigate the effect of nanodiamonds in lubricants under sliding friction, they are dispersed in the lubricant at a variety of concentrations (0 wt%, 0.1 wt%, 0.3 wt%, 0.5 wt%, and 1 wt%) using the matrix synthesis method. Friction and wear tests are performed according to the ASTM G99 method using a pin-on-disc tester at room temperature. The specimens used in this experiment are AISI 52100 ball bearings and AISI 1020 steel discs. During the test, lubricant mixed with nanodiamond is supplied constantly to keep the two bodies separated by a lubricant film. To maintain boundary lubrication, the speed is set to 0.18 m/s and a load of 294 N is applied to the disc through the pin. Results are recorded by using workbench software over the test duration of 10 minutes. Experimental results show that when the concentration of nanodiamond increases, the coefficient of friction decreases. However, above a nanodiamond concentration of 0.5 wt%, both the coefficient of friction and wear volume increase. From this experiment, the optimum concentration of nanodiamond showing a minimum coefficient of friction of 0.09 and minimum wear volume of 0.82 nm² was 0.5 wt%.