Tribological investigation of applicability of nano-sized cupricoxide (CuO) ceramic material in automotive vehicles

Due to the continuously increasing requirements of the internal combustion engines, the lubricants and their additives have to be further developed. One possible solution is the application of ceramic nanoparticles as friction modifier and wear decreaser additives. This paper presents the tribological investigation of cupricoxide (CuO) nanoparticle mixed in neat Group 3 base oil. To analyse its properties, simplified ball-on-disc friction experiments were carried out in the tribological laboratory in the Széchenyi István University in Győr, Hungary. The arisen wear scars were analysed with different, highresolution microscopes to understand the working mechanism of the nanoparticles. The results have indicated an optimum concentration of nanoparticles at 0.5wt% where both the average friction coefficient and the wear scar diameter were reduced by 15%. The microscopical investigation revealed the reduction of copper material from the CuO material, and it has mended to the rubbing surface forming a protective film on the metal surface