Thermal and Physical Properties of Graphite Water-based Nanofluids used in Minimum Quantity Lubrication

Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) is now being used in some advanced manufacturing processes. Application of MQL reduces the pollution caused by using a large amount of cutting fluid, and makes the working environment become better. However, the conventional lubricants used in MQL result in poor cooling effect. With the rapid development of nanotechnology, researchers begin to explore the nanoscale particles into the liquid, and search for a new and efficient heat transfer cooling medium. In this paper, the two-step method was used to prepare graphite-deionized water nanofluids, and explored the thermal and physical properties of graphite water-based nanofluids. The results suggest that with the concentration increased, the stability of graphite water-based nanofluid decreased. The ultrasonication time had almost no effect on the stability of the prepared nanofluid. The viscosity and thermal conductivity of graphite water-based nanofluid increased with increase in mass fraction of nanographite and ultrasonication time. The surface tension decreased with increase in mass fraction of nanographite and ultrasonication time.