Influence of TiO2 and SiO2 Nanoparticles Additives on the Engine Oil Tribological Properties: Experimental Study at Different Operating Conditions

Abstract

In this work, TiO₂ and SiO₂ nanoparticles (NPS) were dispersed within two commercial engine oil to enhance their tribological properties. The tribological properties were studied under two operating condition which are applied force and temperature. A different concentrations of dispersed TiO₂ and SiO₂ NPs (0.5 and 1.0 wt. %.) onto the engine oil were applied and the corresponding tribological properties were measured at different values of temperature and applied loads. The results show that oil contains 1.0 wt. % of TiO₂ NPs as ( Nano-lubricant) decrease the friction of coefficient and wear rate from 39% to 47% comparing to the control. In addition, the tribological properties were improved at oil contains 0.5 wt. % of SiO₂ NPs, however, increasing SiO₂ NPs content to 1.0 wt. % the friction coefficient and wear resulted in a higher values. These findings proposed that formation of the lubricant thin-film contains a nanoparticles plays a critical role on the sliding interfaces and thus reduced and prevented the asperity contact between rubbing surfaces which influence the engine performance.