Experimental study of tribological properties of lithium-based grease with Cu nanoparticle additive

Abstract

The tribological properties of lithium-based grease with nanometer Cu additive are studied in this paper. The feasibility of Cu nanoparticle as grease additive is evaluated by four ball friction tester. Both the bearing temperature rise and the vibration acceleration at different lubrication states are investigated using the bearing test machine. Results show that when the adding amount of nanometer Cu is 0.25% in grease, the friction coefficient and the wear scar diameter of the steel ball are the smallest. Moreover, the vibration acceleration and temperature rise of bearing in 1171-0.25 lithium-based grease are decreased and the bearing speed limit is improved because of the self-repair role of Cu nanoparticles on bearing rolling surfaces.

Keywords:

• Nano-lubrication
• additives
• nano-Cu
• self-repair
• bearing