Size effects of SiO₂ nanoparticles as oil additives on tribology of lubricant

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the tribological properties of liquid paraffin with SiO 2 nanoparticles additive made by a sol‐gel method. Design/methodology/approach The tribological properties of the SiO 2 nanoparticles as an additive in liquid paraffin are measured using a ball‐on‐ring wear tester to determine the optimal additive concentration. The mechanism that wear and friction are reduced is studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), and atomic force microscope (AFM). Findings Experimental results indicate that the sizes of the synthesized SiO 2 nanoparticles are distributed uniformly and that the optimal concentrations of SiO 2 nanoparticles in liquid paraffin is associated with better tribological properties than pure paraffin oil, and an anti‐wear (AW) ability that depends on the particle size. Originality/value It is shown in the paper that by reducing friction and AW, the lubricant prepared by the methods described can prolong operating hours of machinery.