Inorganic nanomaterial lubricant additives for base fluids, to improve tribological performance: Recent developments

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Abstract

In this paper, we review recent research developments regarding the tribological performances of a series of inorganic nano-additives in lubricating fluids. First, we examine several basic types of inorganic nanomaterials, including metallic nanoparticles, metal oxides, carbon nanomaterials, and “other” nanomaterials. More specifically, the metallic nanoparticles we examine include silver, copper, nickel, molybdenum, and tungsten nanoparticles; the metal oxides include CuO, ZnO, Fe ₃O ₄, TiO ₂, ZrO ₂, Al ₂O ₃, and several double-metal oxides; the carbon nanomaterials include fullerene, carbon quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphene oxides, graphite, and diamond; and the “other” nanomaterials include metal sulfides, rare-earth compounds, layered double hydroxides, clay minerals, hexagonal boron nitride, black phosphorus, and nanocomposites. Second, we summarize the lubrication mechanisms of these nano-additives and identify the factors affecting their tribological performance. Finally, we briefly discuss the challenges faced by inorganic nanoparticles in lubrication applications and discuss future research directions. This review offers new perspectives to improve our understanding of inorganic nano-additives in tribology, as well as several new approaches to expand their practical applications.

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Influence of tribology on global energy consumption, costs and emissions

Kenneth Holmberg, Ali Erdemir (2017)

Calculations of the impact of friction and wear on energy consumption, economic expenditure, and CO 2 emissions are presented on a global scale. This impact study covers the four main energy consuming sectors: transportation, manufacturing, power generation, and residential. Previously published four case studies on passenger cars, trucks and buses, paper machines and the mining industry were included in our detailed calculations as reference data in our current analyses. The following can be concluded: – In total, ~23% (119 EJ) of the world’s total energy consumption originates from tribological contacts. Of that 20% (103 EJ) is used to overcome friction and 3% (16 EJ) is used to remanufacture worn parts and spare equipment due to wear and wear-related failures. – By taking advantage of the new surface, materials, and lubrication technologies for friction reduction and wear protection in vehicles, machinery and other equipment worldwide, energy losses due to friction and wear could potentially be reduced by 40% in the long term (15 years)and by 18% in the short term (8 years). On global scale, these savings would amount to 1.4% of the GDP annually and 8.7% of the total energy consumption in the long term. – The largest short term energy savings are envisioned in transportation (25%) and in the power generation (20%) while the potential savings in the manufacturing and residential sectors are estimated to be ~10%. In the longer terms, the savings would be 55%, 40%, 25%, and 20%, respectively. – Implementing advanced tribological technologies can also reduce the CO 2 emissions globally by as much as 1,460 MtCO 2 and result in 450,000 million Euros cost savings in the short term. In the longer term, the reduction can be 3,140 MtCO 2 and the cost savings 970,000 million Euros. Fifty years ago, wear and wear-related failures were a major concern for UK industry and their mitigation was considered to be the major contributor to potential economic savings by as much as 95% in ten years by the development and deployment of new tribological solutions. The corresponding estimated savings are today still of the same orders but the calculated contribution to cost reduction is about 74% by friction reduction and to 26% from better wear protection. Overall, wear appears to be more critical than friction as it may result in catastrophic failures and operational breakdowns that can adversely impact productivity and hence cost.