Influence of NiO nano-flakes dispersion on the viscosity of lubricating oil

Abstract

Protecting interacting surfaces of mechanical systems against friction and wear have a wide range of industrial applications. Viscosity is the supreme property of any lubricant which overpowers viscous drag in hydro-dynamically lubricated mechanical systems. The dispersion stability of NiO-nanolubricants is achieved by ultrasonication technique. The detailed study of the viscosity of NiO nano-flakes dispersed in SN500 lubricants with weight fraction of 0.25-1.5% was performed in the temperature between 40-90 °C. The results show that increasing the weight fraction of NiO nano-flakes resulted in consistence viscosity increment. Further, the measured viscosity is compared with different concentration and temperature dependent theoretical models. On the basis on experimental viscosity data a theoretical correlation is recommended to predict the viscosity of NiO-nanolubricants with less than 5% margin of deviation.

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(1), 203-214.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v34i1.19