Non-Hydrolytic Synthesis and Tribological Properties of Al2O3 Sol

Abstract

Oil-soluble Al₂O₃ sol was obtained via nonhydrolytic method. The aluminium trichloride was used as the precursors. Oleic acid and acetone was used as oxygen donor. The dispersion medium was lubricating oil. Al₂O₃ sol was characterized through X-ray diffraction analysis, UV-VIS spectrophotometer and scanning electron microscopy. Tribological properties of Al₂O₃ sol was studied through the four-ball friction test and thrust ring friction test. The results showed that the as-obtained Al₂O₃ nanoparticles in Al₂O₃ sol were dispersed very well with the size of about 80 nm and 20 # mechanical oil has a best lubricating effect with 14.74 % decreasing amplitude of friction coefficient and 9.86 % decreasing amplitude of wear scar diameter when Al₂O₃ sol was doped with 9 wt %.