Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) of solid lubricants (SLs) as solo particles have proved to be excellent anti-wear additives (AWAs), anti-friction additives (AFAs), and extreme-pressure additives (EPAs) for greases. However, hardly any efforts are made to investigate possible synergism/antagonism in the functioning of NPs when added in combination. Graphite is well known as very efficient AWA and AFA but less effective as EPA, whereas PTFE is more known as very efficient EPA and less efficient as AWA and AFA for greases. Hence, it was thought worthwhile to explore the potential of these two particles together as EPA, AWA, and AFA for possible synergism, using multiple combinations of NPs of PTFE (P) and graphite (G) in various amounts (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 wt. %) keeping the total amount fixed at 4%. It was observed that combo-particles in typical amounts proved to show synergistic action as EPA and AWA. However, as AFA, they showed antagonistic behaviour. In the case of EP, the highest gain (100%) was recorded for combo-grease (1% G and 3% P). In the case of AW performance, all combo-greases showed synergism and showed almost similar benefits (52–62%, depending on the load). However, a clear antagonism was observed in AF performance, barring one combination (1% G and 3% P). The wear mechanism was discussed using various analytical techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS).
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Kumar, N., Saini, V. & Bijwe, J. Synergism or antagonism in tribo-performance of nano-greases using combinations of nanoparticles of graphite and PTFE. Appl Nanosci 11, 2525–2536 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-021-02099-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-021-02099-6