Influence analysis of lubrication and friction reduction of graphene oxide lubricant at SiC interface

Lubricants utilized in high-end equipment must exhibit excellent tribological properties and heat dissipation. In this study, an aqueous graphene oxide (GO) solution was used to lubricate ceramic materials. Tribological experiments were performed using a silicon carbide (SiC) planar friction pair to clarify the influencing factors and mechanism of GO nanofluid lubrication. The results showed that the GO solutions were effective in reducing wear and improving lubrication. A 0.1% medium-particle-size GO solution with a coefficient of friction of 0.020 provided the most effective lubrication. Friction temperature tests showed that the thermal conductivity of the GO solution was beneficial for reducing the temperature increase of the friction pair. Furthermore, investigations of the polarized electric field at the interface revealed that the GO solution facilitated the formation of polarized electric fields on the mutually exclusive friction surfaces. Finally, lubrication and wear reduction mechanisms of the GO solution are discussed and proposed.