The preparation and tribological properties of surface modified zinc borate ultrafine powder as a lubricant additive in liquid paraffin

This paper investigates the effects of surface modification of zinc borate ultrafine powders (ZB UFPs) on their tribological properties as lubricant additives in liquid paraffin (LP). ZB UFPs were successfully modified by hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMOS) and oleic acid (OA). It is evident that HDTMOS modified zinc borate ultrafine powder (HDTMOS-ZB UFP) delivered a small conglomerate size, good stability in the organic solvent and sound anti-wear property. It has been observed that a continuous and tenacious tribo-film on the worn surface generated from HDTMOS modified ZB UFP as a lubricant additive in LP plays an important role in the outstanding anti-wear property. It is suggested that HDTMOS modified ZB UFP as a lubricant additive in LP has a great potential.