Tribological Properties of IF-MoS2 Nanoparticles as Lubricant Additive on Cylinder Liner and Piston Ring Tribo-pair

Friction and wear behaviors of different concentrations of IF-MoS2 nanoparticles in SAE 20W40 were studied. First of all tribological tests with SAE 20W40 + IF-MoS2 were carried out on a four ball wear test machine as per ASTM D 4172 standard to study its wear properties. Detailed friction and wear studies on cylinder liner and piston ring tribo-pair were conducted on pin-on-block universal tribometer under lubricated conditions of SAE 20W40+ IF-MoS2. These experimental studies were conducted at different operating parameters to ascertain the influence of nanoadditive on friction and wear of cylinder liner and piston ring tribo-pair. A minimum coefficient of friction of 0.0772 was observed for 0.5 wt% of IF-MoS2 at normal load of 100 N at sliding velocity of 0.03 m/sec. A substantial reduction of 65 % in the wear of cylinder liner and piston ring tribo-pair was also observed when lubricated with SAE 20W40 and 0.5 wt% of IF-MoS2. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry analysis of the worn out surfaces was also carried out to find the causes for observed friction and wear behavior.