Synthesis, characterisation, and tribological evaluation of Mn3B7O13Cl nanoparticle as efficient antiwear lubricant in the sliding wear between tantalum strips and steel ball

Abstract

AbstractThe Mn3B7O13Cl nanoparticle (~30 nm) has been prepared by sol‐gel method and characterised by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The tribological properties of prepared Mn3B7O13Cl nanoparticle and the common nano‐Cu and nano‐Fe nanoparticles as antiwear additives with various concentrations in polyalphaolefin (PAO) base oil have been investigated. PB values of nano‐Mn3B7O13Cl added oil are superior to base oil, nano‐Cu and nano‐Fe added oil with the same content, and it reaches the value of 637 N. The wear scar diameter is 0.52 mm when the concentration is only 0.2 wt.%. And meanwhile, Mn3B7O13Cl nanoparticle as efficient antiwear lubricant and commercial oil was measured in the sliding wear between tantalum strip and 52100 bearing steel ball by MFT‐3000 friction and wear tester at an optimised additive concentration (0.2 wt.%). Coefficient of friction of tantalum strips is reduced by 41.5% compared with that of the commercial oil. Surface morphology studies and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis have revealed that the prominent tribological behaviour of Mn3B7O13Cl was caused by the formation of ~ 30‐nm tribofilm made of adsorbed boron and tribosintered nano‐Mn3B7O13Cl. Therefore, Mn3B7O13Cl nanoparticle has a potential to develop as friction‐reducing and antiwear lubricant in the sliding wear between tantalum strips and steel ball to avoid the severe wear.