Rheological, Wear and Thermal Stability Studies on Sunflower Oil with Natural and Nano Metal Additives

摘要

The main objective of this study is to investigate the rheological, wear and thermal stability characteristics of sunflower oil with nano metal additives (Cu and TiO_2) and natural additive (palm oil). The Sunflower Methyl Ester (SFME) is prepared by using transesterification process in the presence of methanol and sodium hydroxide as catalyst. In order to analyze the rheological and wear properties of the prepared biosamples, rheological study by using rheometer as per ASTM D2096 and wear study by using four ball tester as per ASTM D4172 were conducted. The thermal stability study of biosamples was carried out by using Redwood viscometer. The rheological study proved that the SFO_M with nano TiO_2 produce less wear because of increasing the viscosity and shear stress under 25℃ and 75℃ compared with the remaining biosamples and wear study produce the wear rate of 0.621 mm which is less than the remaining biosamples also exhibited the better viscosity stability over the temperature from 20℃ to 80℃ from thermal stability studies. Finally, SFO_M with nano TiO_2 compared with commercial 2T mineral oil in terms of wear less by 21.78% and limited run emission results with less emission of four gases (CO_2, CO, HC and O_2) in terms of 19.2%, 3.3%, 4.3%, and 6.9% respectively oil except for NO_X. Thus SFO_M with nano TiO_2 has the potential to be used as an engine oil lubricant because it is exhibiting superior wear resistance and low exhaust emission properties as compared to the commercial 2T mineral oil lubricants.