Tribological properties of diamond and SiO2 nanoparticles added in paraffin

This work studies the tribological properties of liquid paraffin to which diamond and SiO2 nanoparticles, which were prepared by the surface modification method using oleic acid, had been added and observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Also, the dispersion capability and stability dispersivity of both modified nanoparticles in liquid paraffin were measured using a spectrophotometer. The measurements show the dispersion capacity and the dispersing stability of oleic acid-modified diamond and SiO2 nanoparticles in liquid paraffin. The tribological properties are evaluated using a ball-on-ring wear tester. The results show that both nanoparticles as additives in liquid paraffin at a tiny concentration have better antiwear and antifriction properties than the pure paraffin oil. Also, SEM was used to observe the plowing of nanoscale grooves of worn surfaces by diamond and SiO2 nanoparticles.