Synergistic lubrication of phosphate glass and TiSiO4 nanoparticles for hot rolling of silicon steel

Lubrication was commonly needed for the moving mechanical counterparts to separate and lubricate the interface by a tribofilm, ensuring the long service life and easy slippage. Traditional, oil-in-water was applied as a hot rolling lubricant. Herein, the effect of the mixture of inorganic glass (sodium polyphosphate) and TiSiO4 nanoparticles (NPs) in the lubrication of silicon steel was studied. The results suggested that the optimal concentration of TiSiO4 NPs was 1 wt% in the 20 wt% sodium polyphosphate solution, which reduces the rolling force of 10.4% compared with the water lubricated condition. The lubrication mechanism was the synergistic effects of melt and nanoparticles lubrication. The combination of inorganic glass and nanoparticles can be extended to the lubrication in hot metal forming process for other steel and metals.