Development and testing of nano particulate lubricant for worm gear application

Bio-degradable lubricants are an attractive alternative for the mineral based and synthetic based lubricants. Bio-degradable lubricants are environmental-friendly and non-toxic. The present study deals with the tribological investigation of bio-degradable nano lubricants for worm gear applications. Nano additives like CuO and TiO₂ were used. Bio-degradable oils like palm oil and sunflower oil were used as base oils. The nano lubricants were prepared by adding two nano additives and two bio-degradable oils each of 0.1 % and 0.2 % weight composition. Friction and wear characteristics were tested on pin-on-disc tribometer under varying load conditions. Extreme pressure tests for nano lubricants were carried out using four ball tester. The wear surface obtained was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy. From the tests conducted, it was found that the addition of nano additives in biodegradable oils reduced the friction co-efficient and wear rate to a considerable extent.