High Temperature Tribological Behavior of Nano-Al₂O₃ in Different Base Oils

Abstract

High temperature tribological behavior of nano-Al2O3 in different base oils were tested by a SRV multifunctional test system. The results show that the nano-Al2O3 particles can obviously improve the antiwear and friction reducing properties of the base oil under high temperature and high load. The friction coefficients of the base oil with added nano-Al2O3 are reduced about 35%, and abrasion loss reduces about 60%. When temperature is 500°C and load is 500N the pure base oil has lost lubricative function, but the base oil with added nano-Al2O3 can still remain the lower friction coefficients. Tribological behavior should be similar to the “ball bearing” lubrication action of the nano-Al2O3 particles, so the movement between the two tribological pairs becomes sliding/rolling.