Scientists report new tribology study findings

Researchers in South Korea have reported their findings on a new tribology study. A team led by J. Lee from Pusan National University found that the friction coefficient of fullerene nano-oil at the lower normal loads (less than or similar to 1200 N) under the fixed orbiting speed, similar to 1800 rotations per minute (rpm), was similar to 0.02, while that of pure oil was similar to 0.03, indicating that the fullerene nanoparticles dispersed in the base refrigerant oil improved the lubrication property by coating the friction surfaces. However, the difference between friction coefficients for both nano-oil and pure oil was found to be negligible at higher normal load conditions, greater than or similar to 1200 N, indicating that the nanoparticles in the base oil have little effect on the enhancement of lubrication between the friction surfaces. The friction coefficient of nano-oil at various speeds of the orbiting plate in the sliding thrust bearing was found to be less than that of pure oil over the entire orbiting speed ranges between 300 and 3000 rpm. The results, the scientists said, were presumably because fullerene nanoparticles, which were inserted between the friction surfaces, improved the lubricating performance by increasing the lubricant oil viscosity and simultaneously preventing direct metal surface contacts. (March 17, 2009)