Study on the tribological properties of Fe3O4@CNTs nanofluids acting on the textured ceramics

The combination of nanofluids and micro-texture is an established method to improve the tribological properties of TiC-based ceramics (TC). Due to the limitations of nature and function, the mono-type nanoparticle is limited for improvement in lubrication, heat transfer and other aspects. In this study, a new nanofluid based on magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles loaded with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was developed by the co-precipitation method as a lubricant to improve the thermal and tribological properties. Firstly, the surfactant with the best adaptability to Fe3O4@CNTs was selected by a visible spectrophotometer to prepare nanofluids with different volumetric concentrations. Then, the micron-grooves were prepared on the tool surface by laser micromachining technology. The tribological properties and contact angles were measured by the ball-on-disc friction method and angle measurement method, respectively. The results show that compared with the traditional water-based cutting fluid and TC, the contact angle, coefficient of friction, and flashpoint temperature of 0.5 vol% Fe3O4@CNTs nanolubricants and textured TiC-based ceramics (TTC) were reduced by 29.17%, 44.69% and 48.28%. The lubrication and heat dissipation mechanism of Fe3O4@CNTs nanofluids on the surface of TTC were also revealed.