Rheological properties analysis of MWCNT/graphene hybrid-gear oil (SAE EP-90) nanolubricants

Abstract

Heat dissipation is a major concern for a sustained mechanical framework. The principle reason of breakdown in any mechanical system is due to wear of its parts, which can be minimized by productive lubrication. Effective lubrication is fundamentally a perfect selection of base oil/lubricant and suitable added substances. With the progression of innovation, researchers have concocted more up to date oils/lubricants including nanoparticles as added substances scattered in base oils named as 'Nanolubricants'. Nanolubricants exhibit enhanced thermo-physical, rheological and tribological properties over commercial lubricants. In this paper, contribution of MWCNT/Graphene hybrid (90/10) nanoparticles in industrial gear oil (SAE EP-90) has been experimentally analyzed. Two-step method has been used for formulation of nanolubricant. The concentration of dispersed nanoparticles in industrial gear oil (SAE EP90) employed in the range of 0.3% to 1.8% by volume. Viscosity and density of nanolubricant are measured by using Stabinger viscometer (SVM 3000, M/S Anton-Paar). Rheological properties have been experimentally tested in the temperature range of 20–80 °C and the results show well agreement with theoretical models in open literature. A new correlation has been suggested for predicting the viscosity of nanolubricant with nanoparticle concentration.