Study of oxide nanoparticles as additives for vegetable lubricants

Currently, vegetable oils have been studied as biolubricants in order to reach new environmental standards. Besides being non-renewable, mineral oils from petroleum bring consequences to the environment due to its low biodegradability. Thus, the aim of this work is to develop a biolubricant and to add oxide nanoparticles (ZnO and CuO) in order to improve abrasion resistance and friction. This product must be biodegradable and has better performance under boundary lubrication. The methodology consisted of the synthesis of biolubricants using vegetable oils (soybean and sunflower) by epoxidation reaction. The tribological performance was evaluated by HFRR (High Frequency Reciprocating Rig). The developed biolubricants showed good tribological properties besides being more adapted to the environment. Also, it was possible to verify that biolubricants without additives are slightly more tribologically effective than lubricants with additives.