Experimental investigation of the tribological behavior of lubricants with additive containing copper nanoparticles

This study investigates the tribological behavior of mineral and synthetic ester base oils additivated with copper nanopartides. The additive was dispersed at 0.3% and 3.0%wt. in each base oil. The friction and wear tests were performed using a tribometer with pin-on-disk and four-ball configuration. Tests with the formulations with and without the nano-additive were carried under different conditions of contact pressures, sliding speeds and oil bath temperatures. The results indicate that the additive, at both concentrations, is not suitable for the application as friction modifier nor as antiwear agent in synthetic polar oil. Furthermore, the results show that the nano-additive in mineral oil reduced the friction coefficient and improved antiwear characteristics at both concentrations tested, especially at 0.3%wt.