Tribological performance of avocado oil containing copper nanoparticles in mixed and boundary lubrication regime
Industrial Lubrication and Tribology
ISSN: 0036-8792
Article publication date: 22 June 2018
Issue publication date: 9 July 2018
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the tribological performance of Cu nanoparticles mixed in avocado oil.
Design/methodology/approach
A Pin-on-Disc tribometer was used to determine the tribological performance of avocado oil as a lubricant as well as for measuring the effectiveness of Cu nanoparticles. Stribeck curve was generated with the base oil and the oil containing Cu nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are added in 0.5 wt. % and 1 wt. % concentration. The worn-out surfaces of aluminum alloy 6061 pins are explored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Findings
The use of Cu nanoparticles led to a reduction in friction and wear. Coefficient of friction (COF) was found to be minimum at 1 wt. % concentration, whereas specific wear rate was minimum for 0.5 wt. % concentration. The film-formation capability of the Cu nanoparticles led to an overall improvement in the tribological properties of the base oil.
Originality/value
Experiments are performed to evaluate the tribological performance of avocado oil using Cu nanoparticles. The results obtained herein suggest that avocado oil has a great potential to replace the conventional mineral oils in the field of industrial lubrication.
Keywords
Citation
Shafi, W.K., Raina, A. and Ul Haq, M.I. (2018), "Tribological performance of avocado oil containing copper nanoparticles in mixed and boundary lubrication regime", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 70 No. 5, pp. 865-871. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-06-2017-0166
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited