Tribological performance of RGO and Al2O3 nanodispersions in synthetic lubricant

Abstract

The focus of this study is to evaluate the tribological performance and to improve the lubricity by introducing nanoadditives in virgin Poly Alpha Olefin grade 4 (PAO 4) lubricants for steel/bronze tribo-pair. This investigation intends to improve the tribological properties of PAO 4-based lubricant with aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and reduce graphene oxide (RGO). Al2O3 and RGO nanoparticles are used in 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, and 0.25 wt. % concentrations in PAO 4 lubricant. The minimum friction and wear is reported for 0.2 wt. % of Al2O3 nanoparticles, which reported 70.41% abasement in the coefficient of friction (COF) and 53.91% reduction in wear volume (WV) with respect to virgin PAO 4 lubricant. For RGO, the minimum friction and wear is reported for 0.2 wt. % of nanoparticles with 79.04% reduction in COF and 78.02% reduction in WV with respect to virgin PAO 4 lubricant. Extreme pressure (EP) tests are also conducted as per ASTM D2783 standard for virgin lubricant, Al2O3, and RGO lubricant.