Synergistic effect of talc/carbon spheres composite as oil-based additive enhancing the lubricating properties for steel-steel contact

Talc/carbon spheres (TC) composite was successfully fabricated through a simple and eco-friendly hydrothermal method. The tribology properties of the base oil were significantly improved after adding TC composites, which had been studied by a ball on disc (BOD) tribometer. The friction coefficient of oil containing 0.5-wt% TC composite (0.5 TC-Oil) was only 0.08, with a decrease of 35.3% compared with the base oil at 5 N. Moreover, severe abrasive wear between friction pairs changed into slight plastic deformation lubricated with 0.5 TC-Oil, as confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). These results reflected notable synergy between self-repair performance effect of talc and ball-bearing effect of carbon spheres. The study displayed the potential lubricating performance of the TC composite in current generation oil lubricants.