Enhancing the Tribological Performance of Diesel Engine Oil Using Boron Carbide Nanoparticles

Recep Çağrı Orman

doi:10.54287/gujsa.1883856

Enhancing the Tribological Performance of Diesel Engine Oil Using Boron Carbide Nanoparticles

Abstract

In recent years, the use of nanoscale additives to diminish the coefficient of friction and regulate wear mechanisms in engine lubricants has emerged as a growing study field. In this study, the tribological performance of 15W-40 diesel engine oil was investigated by adding four different concentrations (25, 50, 100, and 200 ppm) of dispersed boron carbide (B4C) nanoadditive to 25 mL of oil. Friction and wear tests were performed under limiting lubrication conditions using a tribometer (20 N load, 500 m sliding distance). SEM/EDS analyses were conducted to evaluate the coefficient of friction, wear rate, and surface topography. The results show that the base oil exhibited the lowest average COF (0.112), friction force (2.24 N), and wear loss (0.0055 mm3), whereas the B4C-containing lubricants showed higher average COF (0.129-0.197), friction force (2.58-3.94 N), and wear loss (0.0285-0.0355 mm3) with increasing additive concentration from 25 to 200 ppm. Under the present test conditions, B4C addition did not improve the tribological performance of the base oil; instead, increasing B4C concentration led to progressively higher friction and material loss.

Keywords

References

Aithal, V. S., Khan, M. A., Shetty, A. R., Hanumantharaju, C. M., Aroor, G., Rai, R., & Navada, M. K. (2025). Revolutionizing Tribology: The Impact of Nanoparticle Coatings on Modern Engineering. Journal of Bio-and Tribo-Corrosion, 11(4), 101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40735-025-01020-w
Alqahtani, B., Hoziefa, W., Abdel Moneam, H. M., Hamoud, M., Salunkhe, S., Elshalakany, A. B., Abdel-Mottaleb, M., & Davim, J. P. (2022). Tribological performance and rheological properties of engine oil with graphene nano-additives. Lubricants, 10(7), 137. https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants10070137
Bednarski, M., Sikora, M., & Orliński, P. (2025). Analysis of the current lubricant requirements of the latest combustion engines. Combustion Engines, 204(1), 192–199. https://doi.org/10.19206/CE-211331
Blanco-Rodríguez, J., Simón-Montero, X., Cortada-García, M., Maroto, S., & Porteiro, J. (2024). Modelling the impact of reducing lubricant viscosity on a conventional passenger car fuel economy and wear protection. Results in Engineering, 24, 103159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2024.103159
Çanakçı, A., Karabacak, A. H., Çelebi, M., Özkaya, S., & Arpacı, K. A. (2024). A study on the optimization of nano-B4C content for the best wear and corrosion properties of the Al-based hybrid nanocomposites. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 49(11), 14625–14641. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-024-08736-w
Chen, Y., Renner, P., & Liang, H. (2019). Dispersion of nanoparticles in lubricating oil: A critical review. Lubricants, 7(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants7010007
Cheng, C., Reddy, K. M., Hirata, A., Fujita, T., & Chen, M. (2017). Structure and mechanical properties of boron-rich boron carbides. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 37(15), 4514–4523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2017.06.017
Chu, N. R., Jackson, R. L., Ghaednia, H., & Gangopadhyay, A. (2023). A mixed lubrication model of piston rings on cylinder liner contacts considering temperature-dependent shear thinning and elastic–plastic contact. Lubricants, 11(5), 208. https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants11050208

Dai, W., Kheireddin, B., Gao, H., & Liang, H. (2016). Roles of nanoparticles in oil lubrication. Tribology International, 102, 88–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2016.05.020
Garcia Tobar, M., Contreras Urgiles, R. W., Jimenez Cordero, B., & Guillen Matute, J. (2024). Nanotechnology in lubricants: A systematic review of the use of nanoparticles to reduce the friction coefficient. Lubricants, 12(5), 166. https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12050166
Hong, Y., Mo, Y., Lv, J., & Wang, J. (2023). Tribological properties of polymer friction improvers combined with MoDTC/ZDDP at different temperatures. Lubricants, 11(5), 196. https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants11050196
Htwe, Y. Z. N., Al-Janabi, A. S., Wadzer, Y., & Mamat, H. (2024). Review of tribological properties of nanoparticle-based lubricants and their hybrids and composites. Friction, 12(4), 569–590. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-023-0774-2
Jiang, Z., Sun, Y., Liu, B., Yu, L., Tong, Y., Yan, M., Yang, Z., Hao, Y., Shangguan, L., & Zhang, S. (2024). Research progresses of nanomaterials as lubricant additives. Friction, 12(7), 1347–1391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-023-0808-9
Kamimura, H., Kubo, T., Minami, I., & Mori, S. (2007). Effect and mechanism of additives for ionic liquids as new lubricants. Tribology International, 40(4), 620–625. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2005.11.009
Kumar, V., Sinha, S. K., & Agarwal, A. K. (2018). Tribological studies of an internal combustion engine. In Advanced engine diagnostics (pp. 237–253). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3275-3_12
Lai, C., Zhong, M., Xu, W., Yi, M., Wu, H., & Huang, M. (2023). Influences of B4C and carbon nanotubes on friction and wear performance of Cu base self-lubricating composite. Tribology International, 187, 108726. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2023.108726
Liu, W., Qiao, X., Liu, S., & Chen, P. (2022). A review of nanomaterials with different dimensions as lubricant additives. Nanomaterials, 12(21), 3780. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12213780
Marlinda, A. R., Thien, G. S. H., Shahid, M., Ling, T. Y., Hashem, A., Chan, K.-Y., & Johan, M. R. (2023). Graphene as a lubricant additive for reducing friction and wear in its liquid-based form. Lubricants, 11(1), 29. https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants11010029
Menacer, B., & Bouchetara, M. (2020). Parametric analysis of the effect of engine speed and load on the hydrodynamic performance of the lubricant in diesel engine. Periodica Polytechnica Mechanical Engineering, 64(4), 299–306. https://doi.org/10.3311/PPme.15725
Priest, M., & Taylor, C. M. (2000). Automobile engine tribology—approaching the surface. Wear, 241(2), 193–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1648(00)00375-6
Reddy, P. S., Kesavan, R., & Vijaya Ramnath, B. (2018). Investigation of mechanical properties of aluminium 6061-silicon carbide, boron carbide metal matrix composite. Silicon, 10, 495–502. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-016-9479-8
Spikes, H. (2025). Mechanisms of ZDDP—an update. Tribology Letters, 73(1), 38. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11249-025-01968-3
Švec, P. (2025). Wear Resistance of B4C-TiB2 Ceramic Composite. Lubricants, 13(1), 35. https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13010035
Wang, Z., Shuai, S., Li, Z., & Yu, W. (2021). A review of energy loss reduction technologies for internal combustion engines to improve brake thermal efficiency. Energies, 14(20), 6656. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14206656
Williams, J. A. (2005). Engineering tribology. Cambridge university press.
Wong, V. W., & Tung, S. C. (2016). Overview of automotive engine friction and reduction trends–Effects of surface, material, and lubricant-additive technologies. Friction, 4(1), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-016-0107-9
Yue, C., Gao, H., Liu, X., & Liang, S. Y. (2018). Part functionality alterations induced by changes of surface integrity in metal milling process: a review. Applied Sciences, 8(12), 2550. https://doi.org/10.3390/app8122550
Zhang, W. (2021). A review of tribological properties for boron carbide ceramics. Progress in Materials Science, 116, 100718. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmatsci.2020.100718
Zhao, J., Huang, Y., He, Y., & Shi, Y. (2021). Nanolubricant additives: A review. Friction, 9(5), 891–917. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-020-0450-8

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Tribology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Recep Çağrı Orman ^*
0000-0002-7700-2800
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 31, 2026

Submission Date

February 6, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 13 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.54287/gujsa.1883856

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA22RS39NW

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Orman, R. Ç. (2026). Enhancing the Tribological Performance of Diesel Engine Oil Using Boron Carbide Nanoparticles. Gazi University Journal of Science Part A: Engineering and Innovation, 13(1), 404-418. https://doi.org/10.54287/gujsa.1883856

AMA

1.Orman RÇ. Enhancing the Tribological Performance of Diesel Engine Oil Using Boron Carbide Nanoparticles. GU J Sci, Part A. 2026;13(1):404-418. doi:10.54287/gujsa.1883856

Chicago

Orman, Recep Çağrı. 2026. “Enhancing the Tribological Performance of Diesel Engine Oil Using Boron Carbide Nanoparticles”. Gazi University Journal of Science Part A: Engineering and Innovation 13 (1): 404-18. https://doi.org/10.54287/gujsa.1883856.

EndNote

Orman RÇ (March 1, 2026) Enhancing the Tribological Performance of Diesel Engine Oil Using Boron Carbide Nanoparticles. Gazi University Journal of Science Part A: Engineering and Innovation 13 1 404–418.

IEEE

[1]R. Ç. Orman, “Enhancing the Tribological Performance of Diesel Engine Oil Using Boron Carbide Nanoparticles”, GU J Sci, Part A, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 404–418, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.54287/gujsa.1883856.

ISNAD

Orman, Recep Çağrı. “Enhancing the Tribological Performance of Diesel Engine Oil Using Boron Carbide Nanoparticles”. Gazi University Journal of Science Part A: Engineering and Innovation 13/1 (March 1, 2026): 404-418. https://doi.org/10.54287/gujsa.1883856.

JAMA

1.Orman RÇ. Enhancing the Tribological Performance of Diesel Engine Oil Using Boron Carbide Nanoparticles. GU J Sci, Part A. 2026;13:404–418.

MLA

Orman, Recep Çağrı. “Enhancing the Tribological Performance of Diesel Engine Oil Using Boron Carbide Nanoparticles”. Gazi University Journal of Science Part A: Engineering and Innovation, vol. 13, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 404-18, doi:10.54287/gujsa.1883856.

Vancouver

1.Recep Çağrı Orman. Enhancing the Tribological Performance of Diesel Engine Oil Using Boron Carbide Nanoparticles. GU J Sci, Part A. 2026 Mar. 1;13(1):404-18. doi:10.54287/gujsa.1883856