ISSN 2321 3361 © 2021 IJESC

Research Article Volume 11 Issue No. 02

Studies on Nanomaterials as Additives for Lubrication- A Review

S. Nithya Poornima1, Dr. V. Shantha2
Assistant Professor1, Professor2
Department of Mechanical Engineering1, 2
BMS Institute of Technology & Management, Bengaluru, India1, Sir M. Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, India2

Abstract:
Nano science and Nano technology have brought a remarkable evolution in the field of material science.Their existed a need for the
change in the fundamental physical and chemical properties so as to bring the best potential from them. The properties of the
material can be altered by reducing macro materials to nano scale so as to enhance the properties. In broad view the researchers
wanted to experiment with the nano scale by the end of 20 th century. This introduction of the materials has found a beginning in the
field of Lubrication. The purpose of lubrication was enhanced with the addition of a nanomaterial as additive in the primitive oil. It
is thus proved that such an addition has brought a drastic reduction in wear. Hence based on the need of the society there exist a
need for researcher to investigate a nanomaterial attributes and properties. And thereby compare their application with existing
material to suit for a particular application with better mechanical properties,thermal properties and chemical properties.
Consequently, the fundamental need of review paper is to provide a concise assessment on synthesis characterization and properties
of Nano material and compare their application with existing material to suit for a particular application

Keywords: Nano lubrication, Nanomaterials, Wear, Friction

Introduction c) Mechanical alloying methods

There is a huge amount of interest persisting in the field of 2. Bottom-up method

Nanomaterials and in Nanotechnologies. It has fascinated all a) Solid phase method
categories of people who are working in all fields such as i. Chemical methods
Scientists, engineers, architects, product designs and even ii. Chemical vapor deposition
common Man in the area of nanoscience. Understanding the iii. Thermal decomposition method
needs of Nanomaterials that has been realized by the society iv. Physical method
and increased comfort expected by all. Such new materials 1. Physical vapor deposition
have to be developed and synthesized to Nano scale to expand 2. Plasma
in the meadows of Nano applications wheremacro materials 3. Induced heating
was applied and could not improve its performance. This has 4. Flame hydrolysis
provided a new a gateway for overcoming old products and 5. Electron beam
improving the performance of the nanomaterial. Generally 6. Laser
Nanomaterial because of their nano scale illustrate properties
that are obtainable. Hence Nanomaterials are considered b) Liquid phase method
advantageous when compared to other materials in enhancing i) Liquid / Liquid method
their efficiency in lubrication and thereby reducing wear. 1. Chemical reduction method
2. Indirect reduction method
Methods of Synthesizing Nano Material: 3. Spray drying process
4. Spray pyrolysis process
There Exist several methods that can be used to synthesize a 5. Solvothermal synthesis
nano material. The synthesis process depends on the type and 6. Super critical
size of the nanomaterial. In general, they are classified as Top
down and Bottom-up Method. These are the two most main ii) Sedimentation method
methods that are involved in the synthesis of nano material.The 1. Sol-gel
detailed classification of the methods that are used are listed 2. Co-precipitation
below: 3. Alkaline precipitation
4. Hydrolysis
1. Top down method
5. Colloidal chemistry
Solid phase method
a) Grinding system Nano Additives in liquid lubricants:
i) Dry grinding system
ii) Wet grinding system The main aspiration in the area of nano material is to shrink the
b) Mechanochemical method (mills and ultrasonic wave) macro material to nano scale and to study their impacton design

IJESC, February 2021 27628 http:// ijesc.org/

and in the processes. This is very challenging as there is need in
with holding the morphology and characteristics of the
nonmaterial. It is hence very important to work on their thermo
physical property without losing their inherent property. These
targets will surely be accomplished in the near future. Here I
have studied the following additives
Nanodiamonds, Ultra-Dispersed Boric Acid and
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE):
This Nano materialNanodiamonds, Ultra-Dispersed Boric Acid
and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)was delibratedby the
Author Boris Zhmud and Bogdan Pasalskiy [1].He has
committed his work by providing a complete overview on the
usage of this nanomaterial His investigation was using a small
percentage in the lubrication of engine oils and industrial
Lubricants. The combined studies with numerous
formulationshave strongly recommended that nanomaterials do
provide a better result in enhancing certain lubricant properties.
Nano Diamond Oil:
The Nanomaterial nano diamond oil wasinvestigated by Gh.
Nasiri-Khuzaniα,M. A. Asoodarα,.M. Rahnamaα & H.
Sharifnasabσ[2]. The Massey Ferguson model 399 tractors that
was manufactured in Iran was used for experimentation. The
outcome of the Nano oil that was used in these tractors for
agriculture was studied. Theoil samples in different
permutation and combination wereanalyzed by atomic
absorption spectrometry. The nano diamond oil that was used
as an additive in agricultural tractor engines have initiated
aprocess that would reduce wear by almost seventy percent in
the engine assembly.There was also drastic reduction in the
exhaust ports by sixty four percent. Thus, consumption of fuel
has proved a complete decrease of about twenty one percent
when compared to conventional oil use.
Hexadecyltrimethoxysilane and Zinc Borate Ultra fine
Powder (HDTMOS-ZBUFP):
The Nanomaterial Hexadecyltrimethoxysilane and Zinc Borate
Ultra fine Powder (HDTMOS-ZBUFPthat was studied and
experimented by C.ZhaoaY.K.Chena, Y.JiaoA.LoyaG.G.Ren
[3]. Zinc borate ultra fine powders modified by
Hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMOS) and Oleic acid (OA)
are the two main additives that was introduced in liquid
paraffin to study the surface texture. HDTMOS modified zinc
borate ultra fine powder (HDTMOS-ZBUFP) has shown
evident resultsthere by delivering a small conglomerate size,
good stability in the organic solvent and sound anti-wear
property.HDTMOS modified ZBUFP as a lubricant additive in
Liquid Paraffin has played an important role in the outstanding
anti wear property
Iron Oxide-Based Tribo-Layer:
GeroBurghardt Florian Wächterb, Georg Jacobs Chistoph
Hentschke [4] experimented on cylinder roller thrust bearings
that were highly subjected to critical wear. Thus with the
utilization of a nanomaterial iron oxide-based tribo-layer
lubricants a considerable wear rate was reduced. A good wear
protection was outcome of the experiments. Iron oxide-based
tribo-layer was extremely efficient when one of the oils was
IJESC, February 2021
built up a suitable layer during the process. The experiments
have also shown that thermal treatment of the bearings can be
reworked.Good lubricant–surface interaction is a result of the
tribo-layers that increase in wear protection.
Titanium dioxide TiO2 Nanoparticles:
Binu K.G, Shenoy B.S, Rao D.S., Pai R[5] has studied the
capacity of a journal bearing by influencing TiO2 nanoparticle
lubricant as an additive. Krieger-Dougherty viscosity model is
used for the process of analysis. The model has shown that
TiO2 nanoparticles has increased in lubricant viscosity. The
results obtained by the modified Krieger-Dougherty model is
validated by experimenting the same with the dispersion of
TiO2 nanoparticle in simulating the viscosities of in engine
oils. These experiments were validated by using a Reynolds
equation for different TiO2 nanoparticle compositions and
sizesare theoretically evaluated under load and pressure
distribution. The Load carrying capacity of the bearing has
shown significant improvement in its performance by utilizing
TiO2 nanoparticle as a lubricant
Nano-Cu Particles:
Wang Yizhu, Dai Enqi, Zhuang Xiaohua, SunJianlin, Wang
Bing[6], investigated by experimenting under ultrasonic
agitation in emulsions for cold rolling of steel strips by striking
the nano-Cu particles with an average size of smaller than 20
nm. A four-ball machine was used to inspect the tribological
properties of the cold rolling emulsion doped with nano-Cu
particles. The optical microscope was used to examine the worn
surfaces of the steel balls. To study the variation in the
emulsion’s wetting performance when nano-Cu particles were
Infused in a JC2000C1 wetting angle tester. A four-high rolling
mill was used to evaluate the lubricity of the emulsion doped
with nano-Cu for steel strip cold rolling and a comparison study
was made with the emulsion without using nano-Cu particles.
The experiment resulted out that nanocopper particlesas
supplementused in cold rolling emulsion proved to provide
good Lubrication and a better performance.That concludes that
nano-Cu particles have showed good lubricity to the cold-rolled
steel strips.
NANO Copper oxide CuO:
S. Baskara, G. Srirama[9] conducted a study to show that an
additive in an lubricating oil can bring about huge difference in
the processes of lubrication and hence increase the life of the
component. For his study the material used was synthetic
lubricating oil, chemically modified rapeseed oil, chemically
modified rapeseed oilwith Nano copper oxide as an
additive.The same wastested on a pin on disc wear tester. The
utilization of the oil has proved to resist wear. In this study, the
author has stated that among the three lubricating oils, one can
contain nano CuO can be preferred for the lubrication purpose
in Journal bearing application.
Inorganic fullerene-like (IF) Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)
nanoparticles:
J.J. Hu* and J.S. Zabinski [36] [11] [12] [13] [16] conducted a
study on inorganic fullerene-like (IF) MoS2 nanoparticles. The
27629 http:// ijesc.org/
tribological characteristics was investigated by using a nano
sensor in two different condition. First case was by using dry
nitrogen and in second the study was conducted in humid air. Si
and Si3N4 tips were the two types of tips that was used for the
experimentation. Thesharp Si tip originated a higher contact
stress when a comparison was made with the blunt Si3N4 tip.
The experimental concluded that IF-MoS2 nanoparticles had
significantly loweredthe friction rate.
Alkoxysilanes are Primary Chemical Groups Used for
Surface Modification
Yan Chen 1 , Peter Renner 2 and Hong Liang. [11][12] [13][16]
have shown that nanolubricants alkoxysilanes have attracted
great interest due to the promise of anti-friction. The
experiment focused on developing a new nano lubricant in
particle suspension. This study has outburst three main
findings: First, two primary methods in dispersion: formulation
with dispersant and surface modification. Second, surface
modification with surfactant and alkoxysilanes are primary
chemical groups. Third, functionalization using surfactant is
found to be suitable for nanoparticles smaller than 50 nm. The
study that revealed for handling nanomaterials greater 50nm
alkoxysilanes are the best. Numerical calculation based on
colloidal theory was used for the analysisthat
revealedsuspending small nanoparticles was responsible for
grafting a small layer. This research provided a new
understanding and guidelines for dispersing a nanomaterial in
lubricating oil.

Table:1: A summary on the Additives and their tribological behavior

Authors Nanomaterial as an Medium for Testing Results

additive dispersion process
Boris Zhmud and Bogdan Nano Diamond Oil Engine oils agricultural Fuel consumption was
Pasalskiy engines reuced by 21 percent.
C.ZhaoaY.K.Chena, Hexadecyltrimethoxysilane Liquid Paraffin Pin on disc Has shown a good film
Y.JiaoA.LoyaG.G.Ren and Zinc Borate Ultra fine in lubrication
Powder (HDTMOS-
ZBUFP):
.

GeroBurghardt Iron Oxide Mineral oil and Rolling The experiment resulted
FlorianWächterb, an ester bearing test in increase in wear
GeorgJacobsChistophHentschke rig FE8 protection
Binu K.G, Shenoy B.S, Rao Titanium dioxide TiO2 Engine oils Modified Higher loads could be
D.S., Pai R Krieger- utilized
Dougherty
viscosity
model
Wang Yizhu, Dai Enqi, Zhuang Nano-Cu Cold rolling four-ball Nano-Cu particles also
Xiaohua, SunJianlin, Wang emulsion machine showed good lubricity
Bing to the cold-rolled steel
strips.

S. Baskara, G. Srirama NANO Copper oxide synthetic pin on disc Enhance the life time of
lubricating oil wear tester journal bearing
(SAE20W40)
.J. Hu* and J.S. Zabinski Inorganic fullerene-like arc discharge in lateral force Focused on reducing
(IF) Molybdenum disulfide water microscope friction
(MoS2) nanoparticles:

Yan Chen 1 , Peter Renner 2 Alkoxysilanes particle colloidal Complete

and Hong Liang suspension theory comprehension of Nano
material dispersement

Conclusion to the lubricating oil. Severalnano additives have been listed

In his literature review revealed that, advanced additive
technologies used in today’s high-performance gear oils are
capable of inducing the required reactions on the surfaces
which requires lubrication thus providing reliable damage
protection even under severe operating conditions. In practice,
Frictions and wear are often controlledbyadding nano additives
and results are discussed above. Recent research on addition of
nano compound has facilitated in reducing wear and friction.
An attempt is made in this paper to review the current research
on lubricating properties of lubricants and effect of adding nano
additives on the performance of lubricants. Present study
includes a review of nano compounds as additives and their
influence improving of the system. Hence it has indicated that

IJESC, February 2021 27630 http:// ijesc.org/

addition of nano particles in the lubricant has brought positive
the effect of additives on mechanical properties, chemical
properties and thermal properties of lubricants used in gear
boxes.
Referances :
[1] Boris Zhmud and Mr. Bogdan Pasalskiy, (2013),
”Nanomaterials in Lubricants: An Industrial Perspective on
Current Research” Lubricants, Vol-1, pp95-101;
[2] Gh. Nasiri-Khuzaniα, Mr.M. A. Asoodarα, Mr.M.
Rahnamaα & Mr. H. Sharifnasabσ,(2012),“Evaluation of
Engine Parts Wear Using Lubrication Oil in Agricultural
Tracto Nano lubrication” Global Journals Inc.(USA),
Online ISSN:2249-4626& Print ISSN:0975-5896
[3] C. Zhaoa Mr Y. K. Chena, Mr Y. Jiao Mr A. Loya Mr G.
G.Ren (2014) “The preparation and tribological properties
of surface modified zinc borate ultra fine powder as a
lubricant additive in liquid paraffin”, Journal, Elsevier
publication., Tribology International ,Vol-70, pp 155–164
[4] Gero Burghardt FlorianWächterb, Georg Jacobs Chistoph
Hentschke (2015), ”Influence of run-in procedures and
thermal surface treatment on the anti-wear performance of
additive-free lubricant oils in rolling bearings”, Journal
Elsevier Publication, Wear 328-329, pp 309–317
[5] Binu K.G, Shenoy B.S, Rao D.S., Pai R, (2014) “A
variable Viscosity Approach for the Evaluation of load
Carrying Capacity of oil lubricated Journal Bearing with
TiO2Nanoparticles as lubricant Additives”, Procedia
Materials Science, Vol- 6 , pp 1051 – 1067
[6] Wang Yizhu1; Dai Enqi1; Zhuang Xiaohua1; Sun Jianlin2;
Wang Bing, (2012) ”Research on Lubrication Behaviors
and Mechanism of Nano-Copper Used in Emulsions for
Strip Cold Rolling”, China Petroleum Processing and
Petrochemical Technology ,Vol. 14, pp 61-67
[7] Suresh Babu Koppula and Dr. N. V. V. S. Sudheer ,
(2016)”A Review on Effect of Adding Additives and Nano
Additives on Thermal properties of Gear Box Lubricants”,
Volume 11, pp 3509-3526
[8] Mustafa Akbulut, (2011),”Nanoparticle-Based Lubrication
Systems”, J Powder Metallurgy Mining, vol-1 , pp 77843-
3122,
[9] S. Baskara, G. Srirama , (2014)” Tribological Behavior of
Journal Bearing Material under Different Lubricants”,
Tribology in Industry ,Vol. 36, pp127-133.
[10] C. Zhao a , Y.K. Chen a,b,n , Y. Jiao a , A. Loya a , G.G.
Ren , “The preparation and tribological properties of
surface modified zinc borate ultrafine powder as a
lubricant additive in liquid paraffin” Elsevier Ltd. /
Tribology International 70 (2014) 155–164
[11] A. Brown, “How to deposit DLC successfully,” Materials
World, vol. 1, pp. 20–26, 1993. View at Google Scholar
IJESC, February 2021
[12] S. L. Pohlman, “Corrosion and electrochemical behavior of
boron/aluminum composites,” Corrosion, vol. 34, pp. 156–
162, 1987. View at Google Scholar
[13] D. M. Aylor and P. J. Moran, “Effect of reinforcement on
the pitting behavior of aluminum-base metal matrix
composites,” Journal of the Electrochemical Society, vol.
132, no. 6, pp. 1277–1281, 1985. View at Publisher · View
at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
[14] Q. Wang, “Preparation and properties of nano-CeO2/Zn
composites,” Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of
China, p. 623, 2007. View at Google Scholar
[15] K. H. W. Seah, F. S. C. Sharma, and B. M. Girish,
“Corrosion characteristics of ZA-27-graphite particulate
composites,” Corrosion Science, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 1–7,
1997. View at Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View
at Scopus
[16] B. P. Bofardi, “Control of environmental variables in water
reticulating systems,” in Metals Handbook, vol. 13
of Corrosion, p. 487, ASM International, Materials Park,
Ohio, USA, 9th edition, 1987. View at Google Scholar
[17] L. H. Hihara and R. M. Latanision, “Suppressing galvanic
corrosion in graphite/aluminum metal-matrix
composites,” Corrosion Science, vol. 34, no. 4, pp. 655–
665, 1993. View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
[18] M. G. Fontana, in Corrosion Engineering, p. 89, McGraw-
Hill, New York, NY, USA, 3rd edition, 1987.
[19] F. Bellucci, “Galvanic corrosion between nonmetallic
composites and metals I. Effect of metal and of
temperature,” Corrosion, vol. 47, no. 10, pp. 808–819,
1991. View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus
[20] L. H. Hihara and R. M. Latanision, “Galvanic corrosion of
aluminum-matrix composites,” Corrosion, vol. 48, no. 7,
pp. 546–552, 1992. View at Google Scholar · View at
Scopus
[21] D. A. Jones and A. J. P. Paul, “Galvanic interactions
between alloys and minerals in sulfuric acid,” Corrosion,
vol. 50, no. 7, pp. 516–521, 1994. View at Google
Scholar · View at Scopus
[22] G. Schick, “Avoiding galvanic corrosion problems in the
telephone cable plant,” in Galvanic Corrosion, H. P. Hack,
Ed., ASTM STP 978, pp. 283–290, American Society for
Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, Pa, USA, 1988. View
at Google Scholar
[23] S. M. Wilhelm, “Galvanic corrosion caused by corrosion
products,” in Galvanic Corrosion, H. P. Hack, Ed., ASTM
STP 978, pp. 23–34, American Society for Testing and
Materials, Philadelphia, Pa, USA, 1988. View at Google
Scholar
[24] V. Brusic, M. Russak, R. Schad et al., “Corrosion of thin
film magnetic disk: galvanic effects of the carbon
27629 http:// ijesc.org/
 overcoat,” Journal of the Electrochemical Society, vol. [35] JJ Hu, JH Sanders, JS Zabinski, “Synthesis and
136, no. 1, pp. 42–46, 1989. View at Google microstructural characterization of inorganic fullerene-like
Scholar · View at Scopus MoS2 and graphite-MoS2 hybrid nanoparticles”, Journal
of materials research, 2006 - Springer
[25] ASTM Standard, “Standard practice for laboratory
immersion corrosion testing of metals,” American Society
for Testing and Materials G31-72, 2004. View at Google
Scholar

[26] ASTM Standard, “Standard practice for preparing,

cleaning, and evaluating corrosion test
specimens,” American Society for Testing and
Materials G1-03, 2004. View at Google Scholar

[27] S. Xiandong, L. Chengping, L. Zhuoxuan, and O.

Liuzhang, “The fabrication and properties of particle
reinforced cast metal matrix composites,” Journal of
Materials Processing Technology, vol. 63, no. 1–3, pp.
426–431, 1997. View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus

[28] E. Martinez-Flores, J. Negrete, and G. Torres Villasenor,

“Structure and properties of Zn-Al-Cu alloy reinforced
with alumina particles,” Materials & Design, vol. 24, no. 4,
pp. 281–286, 2003. View at Google Scholar · View at
Scopus

[29] D. Božić, J. Stašić, and V. Rajković, “Microstructures and

mechanical properties of ZA27-Al2O3 composites
obtained by powder metallurgy process,” Science of
Sintering, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 63–70, 2011. View at
Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus

[30] S. M. Seyed Reihani, “Processing of squeeze cast Al6061–

30vol% SiC composites and their
characterization”, Materials & Design, vol. 27, no. 3, pp.
216–222, 2006. View at Publisher · View at Google
Scholar · View at Scopus

[31] Z. Gnjidic, D. Bozic, and M. Mitkov, “The influence of

SiC particles on the compressive properties of metal matrix
composites,” Materials Characterization, vol. 47, no. 2, pp.
129–138, 2001. View at Publisher · View at Google
Scholar · View at Scopus

[32] H. Wang, R. Zhang, X. Hu, C.-A. Wang, and Y. Huang,

“Characterization of a powder metallurgy SiC/Cu-Al
composite,” Journal of Materials Processing Technology,
vol. 197, no. 1–3, pp. 43–48, 2008. View at
Publisher · View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus

[33] W. Feitknecht, “Studies on the influence of chemical

factors on the corrosion of metals,” Chemistry & Industry,
vol. 36, pp. 1102–1109, 1959. View at Google Scholar

[34] S. C. Sharma, D. R. Somashekar, and B. M. Satish, “A

note on the corrosion characterisation of ZA-27/zircon
particulate composites in acidic medium,” Journal of
Materials Processing Technology, vol. 118, no. 1–3, pp.
62–64, 2001. View at Publisher · View at Google
Scholar · View at Scopus

IJESC, February 2021 27630 http:// ijesc.org/