An Experimental Analysis of Thermal and Tribological Properties of A Nano-Fluid Mineral Base Engine Oil Having Friction Modifier Additive

Abstract

The lubricants around the world help in proper movement of parts of all types of machineries and in turn reduce the friction and consequently the wear and tear of important parts. The lubricant flows or sticks to surfaces where it is used as per its viscosity index and temperature ratings. But, the viscosity and other important properties of a lubricant like its torque, shear rate and shear stress change with temperature variation. For this purpose advanced equipments like NF interferometer and Rheometer were used in this experimentation. One of the most widely used grade of engine oil in India is 20W50 and the sample of one of its type of mineral base engine oil was selected and tested vigorously. It was first made into a nano fluid solution by dispersing stearic acid coted multi walled carbon nano tubes. Then various structure examining techniques like scanning electron microscopy, field emission SEM and FTIR were used to correlate with the findings. The results clearly showed that the lubricant with friction modifiers has enhanced thermal, tribological and temperature variation base visco-elastic properties. Another important finding was a technique to make the coated multi walled carbon nano tubes dispersible in one ordinary mineral base engine oil. The improved engine oil may find its applications in automobile sector in due course of time after cost reductions in manufacturing.