Improving the tribological performance of canola oil by adding CuO nanoadditives for steel/steel contact

Abstract

In the recent years, the environment acceptable lubricants have been collecting popularity worldwide. Vegetable oils containing nanoparticles are considered as best alternative of petroleum based lubricants. In view of this, current work concerns an experimental study of tribological performance of canola oil containing copper oxide (CuO) nanoadditives. Four different weight fractions of nanoparticles ranging from 0.05% to 0.2% were dispersed in canola oil. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was added to decrease the sedimentation rate of nanoparticles. Two-step technique was followed to develop the nanolubricants. The tests were conducted using ball-on-disc tribometer at different operating conditions. The outcomes stated that the blending of nanoadditives significantly intensify the tribological characteristics of the base oil. However, canola oil containing 0.1 wt% CuO nanoadditives showed minimum friction coefficient and lowest specific wear rate. Moreover, the lowest average surface roughness value was also reported for this concentration.