Reducing friction and engine vibrations with trace amounts of carbon nanotubes in the lubricating oil

Improved lubrication parameters of lubricating oils due to the addition of carbon nanotubes (CNT) have been demonstrated in the past. This benefit, however, is short-lived due to self-induced re-agglomeration of CNTs in large concentrations in the oil. In this work the authors investigate the fricti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Tribology international 2020-11, Vol.151, p.106484, Article 106484
Main Authors: Kałużny, Jarosław, Waligórski, Marek, Szymański, Grzegorz M., Merkisz, Jerzy, Różański, Jacek, Nowicki, Marek, Al Karawi, Mohanad, Kempa, Krzysztof
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agglomeration
Carbon nanotubes
Engine tests
Friction
Friction reduction
Lubricants
Lubricants & lubrication
Lubricating oil
Lubricating oils
Vibration
Vibration control
Vibration measurement
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Summary:Improved lubrication parameters of lubricating oils due to the addition of carbon nanotubes (CNT) have been demonstrated in the past. This benefit, however, is short-lived due to self-induced re-agglomeration of CNTs in large concentrations in the oil. In this work the authors investigate the friction effects at trace amounts of CNT (as low as 0.03%). At such level the re-agglomeration effects are efficiently suppressed. Surprisingly, at such extreme low CNT concentration levels, a relatively large engine friction reduction of 6% was still observed. Moreover, a very strong vibration reduction of up to 30% was measured in the fired engine test. Full understanding of these results will require extensions/revisions of the existing models, which will pave the way to a new class of improved lubricants. •CNTs reduce internal engine friction significantly even when added to the oil in trace amounts.•Trace amounts of CNTs introduced into the lubricating oil reduces engine block vibrations significantly.•Shear-induced ordering transition is a mechanism proposed to explain the observed CNTs action.
ISSN:0301-679X
1879-2464
DOI:10.1016/j.triboint.2020.106484