Graphene and graphene oxide as new lubricants in industrial applications

Abstract: This master thesis report evaluatesthe lubricating effect of graphene (G)and graphene oxide (GO). Thesematerials have been added, in particlecondition, in Ag-based slidingcontacts and lubricating greases. Thework focuses on the tribologicalevaluation of these materials,especially friction, wear and contactresistance analyses. The friction andwear behaviors of Ag-based contactscontaining of a wide concentrationrange of graphene and graphene oxideare tested against pure silver using atest load of 2 and 10 N at a constantspeed of 5 cm/s. It was revealed thatsmall amounts of G and GO are able tosignificantly reduce the frictioncoefficient and wear rate. Contactresistance measurements revealed thatresults similar to pure Ag can beachieved with G content up to 10vol%.Possible mechanisms, which maycontribute to this tribologicalbehavior are the Ag-C interactions andthe lubricating nature of graphene.Friction tests with G and GOcontaining lubricating greases showinconsistent results, and both greasesand corresponding test methods forevaluation require furtheroptimization. The overall, promising,tribological behavior of G and GOholds for the implementation invarious industrial applications. Thereis no doubt that these kinds ofmaterials can play an important rolein ABBs future work. This masterthesis report shows yet anotherapplication area for theseextraordinary materials.