Effect of electrochemical and mechanical parameters on the lubrication behaviour of Al2O3 nanoparticles in aqueous suspensions

• Published in: Wear 2006-11, Vol.261 (9), p.1032-1041
• Main Authors: Radice, S., Mischler, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0043-1648
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wear.2006.03.034

The effect of alumina nanoparticles suspended in an aqueous acetate buffer solution on the tribocorrosion behaviour of a 316L steel/alumina sliding contact was investigated using a reciprocating wear test rig equipped with an electrochemical cell. Through the addition of 10% volume of alumina nanoparticles to an acetate buffer solution it was possible to reduce the coefficient of friction by a factor of 2 and the stainless steel wear by a factor of 10 and this over a range of electrochemical and mechanical conditions. The presence of alumina particles caused a significant wear on the alumina counter part. The lubricating behaviour of the suspension was comparable to a commercial oil in water emulsion used for metal cutting. The lubricating effect was attributed to a third body formed by nanoparticles trapped within the contact. The agglomeration state of the alumina particles and their size were found to play a critical role.