Shorea Robusta (Sal): A Novel Feedstock for Bio Based Lubricant Application with Effect of SiO2 Nanoparticles

Abstract

The disposal of the synthetic oil is a serious problem to the environment. Nowadays, progressive work is performing on the alternatives to the synthetic oil due to the depletion of the petroleum reserves in the future. The Sal oil has the potential as a substitute to the synthetic oil and is available in abundant quantities in India. In this study, the oil was epoxidized to improve the properties of the Sal oil. Furthermore, SiO2 nanoparticles are added to the chemically modified oil in certain proportions (0.25%, 0.5%, and 1.0%) that are tribologically tested. The test was performed by using pin on disc tribometer by considering different conditions. Based on the specific concentration (percent) of silicon oxide nanoparticles, Nano lubricants were properly dispersed through ultrsonication process. During the flow behavior analysis, all the lubricant samples show Newtonian behavior by presenting a linear relationship between the shear rate and shear stress. In the light of the investigation, 0.25% and 0.5% concentration of silicon oxide nanoparticles demonstrated a reduction in coefficient of friction and wear rate. The SEM images also shows better surfaces when the nanoparticle was added up to 0.5% concentration. The optimum addition was found at 0.5% concentration to the expoxidized oil.