Tribological performance of palm kernel oil added with nanoparticle copper oxide using fourball tribotester

Abstract

The remaining base stock of mineral oil resources is drawing attention to the researchers all over the world as the technology development keep on increasing over the years. Researchers also keep trying to figure out this issue by diverting the attention to other resources such as vegetable oil. This study is focusing on using palm oil based as lubricant with addition of nanoparticles copper oxide to improve the tribological behavior. There are 3 types of lubricant being used in this study which are mineral based engine oil (SAE 40), palm kernel oil (PKO) and palm kernel oil added with nanoparticle copper oxide (PKO+CuO). Fourball tribotester machine was used and the experiment was conducted by following the ASTM D4172 standard. The result analysis was focusing on coefficient of friction, wear scar diameter, surface roughness as well as wear worn observation. It was found that, PKO+CuO exhibited 20.12% and 8.73% lower coefficient of friction compared to SAE 40 and PKO respectively. However, PKO+CuO represented 10.13% and 1.74% higher wear scar diameter compared to SAE 40 and PKO respectively. The physical appearances of wear worn were observed and further discussed in this present study.