Studies on surface effects of nano-powder suspensions in cooling-system materials

摘要

The authors have developed a test instrument to explore the feasibility of employing low-speed jet test for nanofluid erosion and surface modification , and of using roughness and wear measurement for assessing the possible surface changes. The instrument proved appropriate to investigate tribological effects of nanofluid interaction with typical cooling system materials, and roughness measurements seems to be a suitable technique. The observed differences in roughness measurements after treatments with the tested nanofluids indicate a surface change that could be related to either material removal (i.e., erosion), or particle adhesion. Further research, including microscope observations of surface, is needed. At time of writing this paper, tests were in progress for base fluids of 50% weight solution of ethylene glycol in distilled water. Such fraction of ethylene glycol is the typical 50% in water employed in most internal combustion engine cooling systems.