ANALYSIS OF THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE LUBRICATING PROPERTIES OF UTTO OIL THROUGH MODIFICATION WITH NANOPARTICLES

Abstract

Under conditions of high load and fluctuating operating temperatures, it is important to maintain the tribological properties of lubricants, such as improved lubrication and the service life of hydraulic mechanisms. Modifying oils with nanoparticles such as graphene reduces friction and wear, as graphene nanoparticles are resistant to deformation and wear and effectively fill micro-cracks. Most studies examine the application of varying amounts and types of nanoparticles, but little attention is paid to the effects of operating temperatures and different loads during operation. Experimental studies using a four-ball machine investigated the influence of graphene nanoparticles on the tribological characteristics of hydraulic oil. In this study, friction and wear tests were conducted under a 300 N load and at initial temperatures of 40°C, 60°C, and 80°C, recording friction torques and measuring the diameters of wear particles. The results showed that nanoparticle-modified oil exhibits lower friction torque and lower wear intensity compared to unmodified oil, and the effect depends on particle concentration and load. It was found that nanoparticles form a protective tribological film and reduce direct surface contact, thereby improving mixed and boundary lubrication conditions. It is concluded that appropriately selected nanoparticles are a promising solution for increasing the reliability and longevity of hydraulic systems.