Tribological properties of graphene oxide sheets as water-based lubricant additive
Industrial Lubrication and Tribology
ISSN: 0036-8792
Article publication date: 4 July 2018
Issue publication date: 17 August 2018
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the tribological performance of graphene oxide (GO) sheets as water-based lubricant additive when ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) plates slid against 316L stainless steel ball using a reciprocating tribometre.
Design/methodology/approach
The factors influencing the tribological performance were considered, including the viscosity of the GO dispersion, normal load, sliding velocity and the roughness of UHMWPE. The surface microstructure and properties of UHMWPE were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy, laser confocal microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and contact angle measurements.
Findings
The results revealed that the GO dispersion reduced friction and sliding-wear. The surface images of the wear UHMWPE plates indicated that GO sheets were prone to adsorption on the surface and form a thin physical tribofilms at the substrate.
Originality/value
Based on the experimental findings for the evolution of the microstructure morphology and the development of subsurface cracks, less debris and cracking can be observed in the UHMWPE plates lubricated by GO dispersion.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to Marie Curie CIG (Grant no. PCIG10-GA-2011-303922), the Shanghai Natural Science Foundation (Grant no. 17ZR1442100), the Shanghai Municipal “Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan” International Cooperation Project (No. 15540723600) for the financial support.
Citation
Zhang, G., Zeng, X., Ren, T. and Heide, E.v.d. (2018), "Tribological properties of graphene oxide sheets as water-based lubricant additive", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 70 No. 6, pp. 1025-1036. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-03-2017-0074
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited