Using TiO₂ nanofluid additive for engine lubrication oil

Abstract

Purpose

Nanoparticles have been studied as additives to lubrication oils for reducing friction and wear. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of nanofluid on engine oil and friction reduction in a real engine.

Design/methodology/approach

The nanoparticles were prepared using a high‐temperature arc in a vacuum chamber to vaporize the Ti metal, and then condensed into a dispersant to form the TiO₂ nanofluid, which was used as lubricant additive. Experiments were performed in both real engine running and test rig.

Findings

It was found that the engine oil with nanofluid additive with an ethylene glycol dispersant of nanoparticles, had gelled after 10‐h of engine running. The problem of oil gelation (jelly‐like) was solved by replacing the dispersant with paraffin oil. The engine oil with TiO₂ nanoparticle additive exhibited lower friction force as compared to the original oil. The experiment showed that a smaller particle size exhibits better friction reduction with particle size ranging from 59 to 220 nm.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is restricted to findings based on the dispersed nanoparticles in fluid as additive for engine lubrication oil.

Practical implications

The test results are useful for the application of nanofluid additive for engine oil.

Originality/value

Most previous researches in this field were executed on tribotester, rather than the actual engine. This paper describes experimental methods and equipment designed to investigate the application of TiO₂ nanofluid as lubricant additive in internal combustion engine.

Citation

Wu, Y. and Kao, M. (2011), "Using TiO₂ nanofluid additive for engine lubrication oil", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 63 No. 6, pp. 440-445. https://doi.org/10.1108/00368791111169025