Mechanism of Action of Colloidal Solid Dispersions

In the past there has been considerable interest in the possibility of using liquid lubricants containing dispersed, solid particles in the 1–50 micron size range to reduce friction and wear. These particles are used in greases and some industrial oils. Researchers are now directing their attention to the behavior of much smaller colloidal particles in the range of 5 nm to 200 nm diameter. Such systems are formally known as “colloidal sols” and have been claimed to influence friction and wear. Further reasons for studying such colloidal particles is that they are present in soot-contaminated engine lubricating oils, as wear debris and as partially-soluble additives. Thus, the objective of the work derived in this paper was to investigate the mechanism of action of colloidal solid particles in the range of 5 to 200 nm diameter in lubricating oils. Of particular interest was the effect of slide-roll ratio on particle entrainment and the influence of the ratio of particle diameter to elastohydrodynamic lubricant film thickness on particles’ behavior. This study has shown that in thin film contacts, colloid nanoparticles penetrate EHD contacts mainly by a mechanism of mechanical entrapment. It is found also that in rolling contacts at slow speeds, colloids formed a boundary film of at least 1 or 2 times the particle size. This film influence friction and wear. However, this film is lost at high speed and the film thickness reverts to the colloid-free fluid. The results of this study have enabled a mechanism of lubricating action by colloid sols to be derived.