Evaluating Lubrication Capability of Soybean Oil with Nano Carbon Additive

This paper presents the influence of adding black carbon nanopowder (average size 13 nm, PlasmaChem) in soybean oil in different massic concentration (0.25 %, 0.50 % and 1 %) on several tribological parameters: friction coefficient and wear scar diameter. Tests are done on a four-ball machine. The test parameters were load: 100 N, 200 N and 300 N and speed 1000 rpm, 1400 rpm, 1800 rpm. The test balls are lime polished, made of chrome alloyed steel, having 12.7±0.0005 mm in diameter, with 64-66 HRC hardness. The sample oil volume required for each test was 8±1 ml. This type of anti-wear additive, because the particle distribution is not evenly in contact during the running, could not help improving the tribological behavior. It does not reduced the friction coefficient and wear scar diameter as compared to the neat soybean oil. The authors estimate that the additive should be bonded (physically or chemically) on the triboelements for having better results.