Preparation and tribological properties of surface-modified nano-Y2O3 as additive in liquid paraffin

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 263; pp. 655 - 659
• Main Authors: Yu, Lin, Zhang, Lin, Ye, Fei, Sun, Ming, Cheng, Xiaoling, Diao, Guiqiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.12.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Coupling-grafting; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Lubricant additive; Nano-Y2O3; Physics; Surface modification; Nano-Y2O3; Surface modification; Lubricant additive; Coupling-grafting; Liquid state; Inorganic compounds; Lubricants; Nano-Y; Transition element compounds; Surface treatments; O; Preparation; Surface properties; Yttrium oxide
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2012.09.130

► Nano-Y2O3 was for the first time used as lubricant additive in liquid paraffin. ► The nano-Y2O3 modified by a coupling-grafting method shows good dispersibility in liquid paraffin. ► The surface-modified nano-Y2O3 considerably improves the tribological performances of liquid paraffin. Surface-modified nano-Y2O3 was prepared by a coupling-grafting method with vinyl methylerichlorosilane and methyl methacrylate as the coupling agent and grafting agent, respectively. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), transmission electron micrograph (TEM) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The tribological properties of the surface-modified nano-Y2O3 as additive in liquid paraffin were evaluated with a four-ball tester. The results show that the nano-Y2O3 keeps its original crystalline structure after surface modification, and the modified nano-Y2O3 forms a core–shell structure with an average particle size of 24.5nm. The maximum non-seizure load (PB value) and sintered load (PD value) increase by 25% and 26.9%, respectively, when compared with those of liquid paraffin, and the wear scar diameter (WSD) also decrease by 21% when 0.10% surface-modified nano-Y2O3 was added. The protective inorganic–organic film formed by nano-Y2O3 and organic modifiers plays an important role in the improved tribological properties of liquid paraffin.