Effect of h-BN Nanoparticles on the Tribological Properties and Lubricating Mechanism of Compound Lithium Grease
Jian-Wei Qiu a, Shuai Zhu b, Zhi-Liang Jin a, Feng-Yuan Zhang a, Jing-Jing Mao a, Li-Jun Liu a, Guang-Neng Dong c and Zheng-Jia Ji d
aPetroChina Lanzhou Lubricating Oil R&D Institute, Lanzhou, 730060, PRC.
bGraduate Student, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry for Modern Design and Rotor-Bearing System, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, PRC.
cProfessor, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry for Modern Design and Rotor-Bearing System, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, PRC.
dAssociate Professor, College of Mechanical Engineering, Qinghai University, Xi'ning, 810016, PRC.
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Abstract:
Lithium base grease is a fundamental lubricating material that has been used widely in industrial equipment. However, its tribological performance is not adequate for the rapid development of advanced equipment. In this work, the influence of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanoparticles on the tribological performance of compound lithium grease was systematically examined. Comprehensive friction and wear tests were conducted utilizing a four-ball tribometer. The findings revealed that the lithium grease with 0.2wt% h-BN nanoparticles exhibited superior tribological properties, and the coefficient of friction and wear scar diameter decreased by 24.2% and 14.2%, respectively. To investigate the lubricating mechanism, the steel ball wear scars were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that h-BN nanoparticles infiltrate the wear surfaces during the friction process, forming a protective B2O3 oxide film.
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