Effect of MWCNTs/Talc powder nanoparticles on the tribological and thermal conductivity performance of calcium grease

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the influence of nanoparticles as an additive on the tribological properties of calcium grease.

Design/methodology/approach

The nano additives in this research are with different concentration of multi carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Talc powder (1, 2, 3, 3 and 5 per cent). The ratio of MWCNTs to Talc powder is 1:1. The tribological properties of hyper MWCNTs/Talc powder to calcium grease were evaluated using a pin-on-disk wear testing. The results show that the nano additives MWCNTs/Talc to calcium grease exhibit good performance in anti-wear and friction reduction. The action mechanism was estimated through analysis of the worm surface with x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope.

Findings

The result indicates that boundary film mainly composed of MWCNT and Talc powder, and other organic compound was formed on the worm surface during the friction test. In addition, the wear rate and coefficient of friction of nanogreases have shown excellent improvement about 80.62 and 63.44 per cent, respectively, at 4 Wt.% of MWCNTs/Talc powder. Moreover, the thermal conductivity of nanogrease increased about 51.72 per cent.

Originality/value

This study describes the inexpensive and simple fabrication of nanogrease for improving properties of lubricants, which improve power efficiency and extend lifetimes of mechanical equipment.

Citation

Mobasher, A., Khalil, A., Khashaba, M. and Osman, T. (2020), "Effect of MWCNTs/Talc powder nanoparticles on the tribological and thermal conductivity performance of calcium grease", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 72 No. 1, pp. 9-14. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-03-2019-0102