Obtenção e caracterização de nanolubrificantes utilizados em refrigeração aditivados com nanoparticulas de Índio (In)

Abstract

The increasing demand for products with higher performance, lower manufacturing cost, less impactful to the environment and are more energy efficient, have fostered research in various areas of nanoscience and nanotechnology (N&N), aiming at overcoming these limitations or adding the main advantages of nanocomposites and nanofluids (NF) which have been extensively applied in industries. The objective of this work was to study the characteristics of nano-lubricants (NL) added with nanoparticles (NPs) of indium (In), In order to contribute to the significant reduction of the size, weight and costs of heat transfer systems, which have a better mechanical stability, a lower resistance to friction and wear, and a better adhesion in the limit lubrication regime. For these purposes, after the acquisition of In NPs, three separate nanolubrificantes (NLs) were prepared, adding 0.3 g / L to hermetic refrigeration compressor oils ISO68, ISO32, and Polyol Ester (POE). After the preparation process consisting of defragmentation and homogenization, each compound was tested in a thermostatic bath and with the aid of a rheometer and a conductivity meter, where the values relative to their thermal properties are measured, to verify the required properties. The mechanical stability was verified through chronological comparisons, Zeta potential and particle agglomeration, after being subjected to lubricity tests using probe tribromes with High Frequency Reciprocating Rig – HFRR and pin-to-disk test for tribological performance analysis. The test specimens were analyzed in SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and EDS (Energy Scattering Spectrometer) to prove the results, where analyzes of the developed models were carried out, taking into account parameters such as: Friction coefficient, friction force, wear resistance, final composition of the test specimens as well as the agglomeration of the particles in the NLs, temperature and viscosity of the fluid, and Brownian motion of the particles, among others. The NLs comprised of In were feasible, with the use of surfactants not being necessary to improve the stabilities, presented satisfactory results in the tribological tests, showing with properties of extreme pressure lubricants (EP), significantly improving the tribological performance. Thus, it becomes feasible to use NLs generated from NP of In in the lubrication of hermetic refrigeration compressors.