Thermophysical properties of SAE 5W-30 lubricant with Al2O3, TiO2, and hybrid Al2O3/TiO2 nanomaterial using oleic acid surfactant on motorcycle performance.

Lubrication is one of the crucial elements affecting the engine performance of motor vehicles. It carries numerous functions, such as lowering friction, heat disposal, critical areas sealing, and other essential functions. Lubricant with thermophysical properties is reported to present better performance than conventional lubricant and is mostly used to produce superior lubricant performance. Nanolubricant represents the addition of nanomaterial into the lubricant to enhance its lubrication or thermophysical features. The nanoparticle suspension shows the agglomeration tendency induced by high surface activities. Accordingly, we used Oleic Acid to disperse the nanoparticle, forming a more stable suspension. The nanolubricant was synthesized using SAE 5W-30 lubricant, added with 0.5% of Al2O3, TiO2, and hybrid Al2O3/TiO2 nanoparticle, along with 10% of Oleic Acid. The research procedure was begun with the characterization of Al2O3 and TiO2 using SEM-EDX, XRD, and FTIR. The nanolubricant synthesis was carried out through four hours stirring process at 1000 rpm speed. Further, the thermophysical feature analysis covering the density, dynamic viscosity, and thermal conductivity was completed to identify the effects of nanoparticle addition on SAE 5W-30 lubricant. Meanwhile, the analysis of nanolubricant effects on the Honda Beat motorcycle performance covering the torque and power was completed using a dynamometer test. The results of data analysis showed an increasing nanolubricant's thermophysical properties to 751.7 kg/m3, at 0.06863 Pa.s density and 0.145 W/m.Ka dynamic viscosity in the thermal conductivity value. Meanwhile, the motor vehicle performance test showed an increasing torque of 8.24 N.m and 11.05 HP power. The nanolubricant added with TiO2/Al2O3, and oleic acid surfactant was observed to generate the highest performance of the motorcycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]