Tribological Performance of Hexagonal Boron Nitride (h-BN) Nanoparticle Additives in Multigrade Motorcycle Engine Oils

This study uses a four-ball tribometer to examine the tribological performance of multi-grade motorcycle engine oil and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanoparticle-based lubricants. The study involves the formulation of different concentrations of nanolubricant (0.025 wt%, 0.05 wt%, 0.1 wt%, 0.25 wt%, and 0.5 wt%) and characterisation by UV-spectroscopy for dispersion analysis. The viscosity of the nanolubricant was measured using a viscometer. The study results show that h-BN nanoparticle additives significantly improve the coefficient of friction (COF) and wear scar diameter (WSD) of the ball compared to motorcycle engine base oil 4T SAE 20W-40. Specifically, the COF and WSD were found to be 12.5% and 16.6%, respectively, higher in the case of h-BN nanoparticle additives than the base oil. These results suggest that nanolubricants can considerably reduce the COF and worn surface compared to motorcycle engine base oil. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of h-BN nanoparticle-based lubricants to enhance tribological performance and reduce the environmental impact of mechanical systems. These findings could have significant implications for the performance and lifespan of mechanical systems across various industries. Further research in this area is necessary to optimise the formulation and application of such lubricants.