Tribological behaviour of calcium grease containing carbon nanotubes additives

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to fabricate composite nanogrease for tribological applications. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with a size 10 nm average diameter and 5 μm in length were used as additives to calcium grease. Design/methodology/approach The tribological four-ball machine was used to evaluate calcium grease with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as an additive. The interaction between CNT and calcium grease (nanogrease) were studied by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Findings MWCNTs composite nanogrease was manufactured for tribological applications. The effectiveness of the fabricated grease in improving the tribological performance at different concentrations and under different loads was tested. The results are summarized as follows. CNT nanoparticle additive dispersed in calcium grease significantly improve its anti-wear performance, reducing friction, increasing load-carrying capacity and extreme pressure (EP) property. The friction is reduced by about 50 per cent, the wear scar diameter (WSD) decreased to 32 per cent and the EP properties increases about 38 per cent, with only 3 wt.%. The modified grease with CNTs additives of 3 wt.% showed the most favorable results. Energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis shows that C was present on the worn scar surface, with atomic concentration of about 22 per cent. The presence of C suggests that a lubricating film is likely formed because of the presence of CNTs and very likely prevented the steel-to-steel direct contact. Originality/value The results indicated that a 3 wt.% of MWCNT nanogrease is an excellent antiwear, with EP and low friction coefficient. It was also found that the friction coefficient was reduced to about 50 per cent, the WSD decreased by about 32 per cent and the EP properties increased about 38 per cent. The mating surfaces were investigated with scanning electron microscopy and EDX. The results show that a boundary film mainly composed of CNTs, Cr and Fe was formed on the rubbed surfaces.