Wear and thermal conductivity studies on nano copper particle suspended soya bean lubricant

Abstract

This study presents lubrication, wear and thermal conductivity of transesterified soya bean oil (SBO). Nano copper particle was added to soya bean methyl ester (SBME) to improve wear resistance and heat transfer characteristics. Various SBO formulations (Crude SBO, SBME, SBME + 1.5% nano copper) and commercial mineral oil based 4T oil were tested for tribological and thermal conductivity. Wear results of SBME+1.5% Cu showed reduction in wear scar diameter by 12% compared to SBME, and 9.5% compared to 4T oil. Thermal conductivity of SBME+1.5% Cu was 1.66 times more than that of SBME, and 1.83 times more than that of 4T mineral oil.