Engine Friction Reduction Using Cu Nanofluid as Lubricant

Abstract

The experimental study on the use of Cu nanofluid as engine lubricant in reducing the friction between piston ring and liner contact has been undertaken. The Cu nanoparticles of CuS and CuO were synthesized and blended in commercial engine oil in varying concentrations for preparation of Cu nanofluid. The experiments were performed on reciprocating tribo-tester to simulate the piston ring and liner contact. The actual ring–liner specimens were used to perform the experiments. The contact was lubricated with commercial engine oil and blends of CuS and CuO in commercial engine oil. The contact friction was continuously recorded. Furthermore, the influence of nanoparticle concentration and applied load along with reciprocating frequency on the coefficient of friction was studied. It has been observed that the blending of Cu nanoparticles reduces engine friction. The optimum dose of the nanoparticles was observed to be 4% by weight. Of the two nanoparticles studied, the CuS nanoparticles resulted in significant reduction in coefficient of friction to the order of 33% as compared to the base lubricant. The findings of the study will be useful for lubricant chemists to develop new lubricants by blending the Cu nanoparticles.