Wear and performance analysis of a 4-stroke diesel engine employing nanolubricants

• Published in: Particuology Vol. 37; pp. 54 - 63
• Main Authors: Kotia, Ankit, Borkakoti, Sheeba, Ghosh, Subrata Kumar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.04.2018
• Subjects: 4-Stroke diesel engine; Al2O3; Engine oil; Friction; SiO2; Wear; 4-Stroke diesel engine; Engine oil; Friction; Wear; SiO2; Al2O3
• ISSN: 1674-2001; 2210-4291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.partic.2017.05.016

[Display omitted] •The Al2O3 and SiO2 nanoparticles used were spherical and mildly aggregated in engine oil.•Viscosity of nanolubricants increased with volume fractions of nanoparticles added.•Nanoparticles at lower volume fractions were more effective in terms of wear and engine performance.•Nanolubricant with 0.3 vol% Al2O3 nanoparticles exhibited best tribological and engine performance. In the present study, the performance of a 4-stroke diesel engine was experimentally evaluated upon adding Al2O3 or SiO2 nanoparticles to the engine oil (SAE15W40). The viscosity and density of the resulting nanolubricants were determined while varying both the nanoparticle volume fraction and the temperature. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE–SEM) showed that the nanoparticles had a spherical morphology and dynamic light scattering analysis determined some aggregation of the nanoparticles in the engine oil. A pin-on-disc test apparatus was used for friction and wear analysis in the presence of the nanolubricants. Examination of wear scars by FE–SEM and energy dispersive spectroscopy found evidence of ball bearing and surface polishing effects, which were responsible for improvements in the tribological properties of the oil. The performance of these nanolubricants in a 4-stroke diesel engine test rig was assessed, and the greatest improvements in the tribological behavior and engine performance were observed when employing 0.3vol% Al2O3.