By: Dr. Akanksha Urade (Graphene & 2D Materials Science Writer)
Graphene is increasingly being used as an additive to transform a growing number of products in practically every industry.
In this article, I will explore the use of graphene as a lubricant.
Graphene flakes have practically endless applications. It is added to other materials to improve strength, water resistance, flexibility and electrical conductivity. A tiny amount – typically, between 0.01%-0.5% – can produce dramatic improvements.
Graphene can be an inexpensive replacement for many incumbent materials.
The problem has been finding a reliable source for industrial volumes of the right quality graphene for specific applications.
Grandview Research predicts that the $130 billion lubricants business in will expand at a CAGR of 3.7% through , led by increasing global demand for higher-performance lubricants. Graphite is the primary incumbent material for lubricants. But graphite has a number of drawbacks – including that it only works in humid environments. Another disadvantage of graphite is the tendency of lamallae to rupture under severe mechanical loads, resulting in a limited lifetime and a higher coefficient of friction.
There are other problems with lubricants, including the use of ecologically hazardous additives or solid lubricants (such as molybdenum disulfide or boric acid). Both oil-based and solid lubricants do not bond well to the surfaces it lubricates and must be reapplied on a regular basis. Even under the best conditions, most lubricant oils eventually degrade over time due to oxidation.
Different forms of graphene have been extensively tested as a lubricant additive. Graphene’s use as a lubricant is attributed to a number of different physical-chemical properties. For example, graphene’s exceptional mechanical strength prevents material wear. Second, graphene has been demonstrated to be impermeable to liquids and gases like water and oxygen, slowing down the oxidative and corrosive processes that normally cause damage to rubbing surfaces. Furthermore, because graphene is an atomically smooth 2D material with low surface energy, it can replace the thin solid films that are typically used to reduce the adhesion and friction of various surfaces.
Graphene can also be utilized as an additive in lubricants to increase fuel economy and engine stability. Companies such as Graphenoil, Graphene-XT, HydroGraph, Versarien, NTherma and others have added different forms and quality of graphene to lubricating oil to enhance performance and stability, resulting in less wear and tear.
“The addition of graphene improves the oil’s tribological properties, making it more suitable for high-pressure, high-stress environments”, notes Simone Ligi, the Chief Executive Officer of Graphene-XT. “But the benefits of graphene do not stop there. Graphene has good heat transfer properties, essential to make lubricants safer at higher temperatures. All of these effects combined reduce engine noise and fuel consumption”.
People commonly associate lubricants with the fluids found in automobiles and industrial machines. While fluids make up the vast majority of modern lubricants, a subset of lubricants known as solid-state lubricants also exists. Argonne National Lab has been researching solid lubricants based on graphene as a cheaper, more efficient and longer-lasting alternative to oil.
Image Courtesy: Berman, Diana, et al. Science ().
The use of graphene and carbon nanodiamonds as a solid-state lubricant to better preserve ball bearings is a field of study that has progressed rapidly in recent years, from an intriguing idea to a nearly practical reality. When graphene flakes and nanodiamond particles brush against a large diamond-like carbon (DLC) surface, the graphene encapsulates the nanodiamond by wrapping itself around it. As nanodiamonds are spherical in shape, the graphene-nanodiamond combination may travel freely between the two surfaces while providing lubrication. In addition to their lubricating and corrosion-preventative properties, they have also demonstrated super lubricity effects in which friction is reduced to nearly zero.
“That’s a significant improvement over any other existing solid lubricants coating available today,” says Argonne’s Prof. Anirudha V. Sumant. “Also, the amount of graphene needed is very small and therefore cost is much lower and eliminating oil waste would be more environmentally friendly, which is a great side benefit.”
The same research team revealed graphene to be an excellent steel lubricant. A few atomic layers of graphene not only reduce the degree of friction in steel rubbing against steel by seven times and the amount of wear by 10,000 times, but can also significantly lower the risk of corrosion.
The advantage of graphene-based solid lubricant coatings over standard lubricants is their simplicity of application. It is applied by spraying a solution over a vast surface area and can coat virtually any shape or size.
In our earlier piece titled “Fake Graphene: Let the Buyer Beware,” I made it abundantly clear that high-quality, defect-free graphene enjoys superior properties to their oxidized counterparts, such as graphene oxide (GO). However, in their marketing and on the labels of their bottles, many companies that sell GO and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) call these materials graphene. Even with lubricant applications, this is still the case.
Image courtesy: Berman, Diana, Materials Today ()
When compared to the wear rate of graphene layers, the wear rate of GO is between one and two orders of magnitude higher. As can be seen in the figure, oxidized graphene has dramatically inferior coverage compared to high-quality graphene, and the presence of oxygen in GO may cause corrosion of steel, which, in turn, increases wear. Because of this, GO does not offer anything approaching the same level of wear protection as high-quality graphene.
Contemporary lubricants contain ecologically hazardous chemicals or are solid lubricants (such as molybdenum disulfide or boric acid). Both oil-based and solid lubricants degrade over time and must be replenished on a regular basis. Real, high-quality graphene, on the other hand, can persist for a long period because the flakes realign themselves during initial wear cycles. Graphene, which is entirely composed of carbon, is environmentally friendly. In specific applications, do I think that graphene lubricants could serve as a suitable alternative to the more traditional oils and fluids? Yes. Would graphene lubricants be a universal replacement for oils? No. There are a number of reasons for this, but the key factor is the lack of supply of high-quality graphene. Nevertheless, we cannot deny that graphene-based lubricants and oils are making their way onto the market. However, whether or not they will come to dominate the market depends upon the ability to manufacture industrial volumes of high-quality graphene.
References
Berman, Diana, Ali Erdemir, and Anirudha V. Sumant. “Graphene: a new emerging lubricant.” Materials today 17.1 (): 31-42.
Berman, Diana, et al. “Macroscale superlubricity enabled by graphene nanoscroll formation.” Science 348. (): -.
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Say goodbye to sluggish pickup and hello to an adrenaline-packed drive every time you hit the road!
NAMITEC has undergone numerous dyno tests with performance vehicles like Mercedes-GT AMG, Toyota Supra, BMW 135i, Mitsubishi Evo and more.
Dyno power runs revealed an impressive ~56% improvement in Torque & Turbo Spool Rate at the crucial Low to Mid RPM Range – precisely where you need it during your everyday drives.
Say goodbye to sluggish pickup and hello to an adrenaline-packed drive every time you hit the road!
NAMITEC has undergone numerous dyno tests with performance vehicles like Mercedes-GT AMG, Toyota Supra, BMW 135i, Mitsubishi Evo and more.
Dyno power runs revealed an impressive ~56% improvement in Torque & Turbo Spool Rate at the crucial Low to Mid RPM Range – precisely where you need it during your everyday drives.
NAMITEC advanced graphene nanotechnology reduces engine friction, giving you faster throttle response and smoother drives.
ASTM D lab tests show that NAMITEC G-Max cuts friction by 13.9%, while G-Tech reduces friction by 6.1% – real results proven by ASTM-certified testing, not just marketing!
Quieter, Cooler Drives Too!
NAMITEC reduces engine noise and vibration for a smoother, quieter ride. Its advanced graphene formula — one of the most heat-conductive materials on earth — helps lower engine temperature by dispersing heat fast.
NAMITEC advanced graphene nanotechnology reduces engine friction, giving you faster throttle response and smoother drives.
ASTM D lab tests show that NAMITEC G-Max cuts friction by 13.9%, while G-Tech reduces friction by 6.1% – real results proven by ASTM-certified testing, not just marketing!
Quieter, Cooler Drives Too!
NAMITEC reduces engine noise and vibration for a smoother, quieter ride. Its advanced graphene formula — one of the most heat-conductive materials on earth — helps lower engine temperature by dispersing heat fast.
CUSTOMERS KEEP COMING BACK
NAMITEC doesn’t just claim engine wear protection, we prove it through rigorous ASTM D testing – the gold standard in determining wear preventive properties.
NAMITEC G-Max elevates engine wear protection by up to 14.5%, ensuring your engine stays in peak condition, ready to conquer miles.
For everyday drivers, NAMITEC G-Tech provides a solid 10.4% improvement.
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NAMITEC doesn’t just claim engine wear protection, we prove it through rigorous ASTM D testing – the gold standard in determining wear preventive properties.
NAMITEC G-Max elevates engine wear protection by up to 14.5%, ensuring your engine stays in peak condition, ready to conquer miles.
For everyday drivers, NAMITEC G-Tech provides a solid 10.4% improvement.
The 4-Ball wear (ASTM D) test is a technical standard published by American Society for Testing and Materials. It is used to determine the relative wear preventive properties of lubricating fluids.
Three (12.7mm diameter) steel balls are clamped together and covered with the test lubricant to be evaluated. A fourth steel ball is pressed downward (from the top) with a force of 40 kgf (392 N) for a three-point contact. The temperature of the lubricating specimen is regulated at 75°C and the top ball is rotated at rpm for 60 minutes.
Average size of the scar diameters worn on the three lower clamped balls are measured. The size of the scar (the smaller the better) indicates the level of wear protection the lubricant provides.
The coefficient of friction data is also collected throughout the 60 minute test with the average being reported at the end of the test.
ACCREDITED RESEARCH AND LABORATORY TESTS
NAMITEC Graphene Nano-particles is ~ 0.03 -0.2μm
Up to 100 times smaller than typical oil filter specifications
Reduced Risk of Mechanical Damage Due to Foaming
23% reduction in foaming volume
Maintain Your Base Oil Chemical Characteristics
Low dosage formula ensure minimum change to base oil viscosity index for best performance
Imagine your car becoming a lean, mean, fuel-saving machine, all while Mother Earth breathes a sigh of relief?
TUV Singapore (*UN-R101) validated a 4% reduction in carbon emissions and fuel consumption for NAMITEC. Your car becomes an environmental superhero, and you get to be the savvy, eco-conscious driver with a fatter wallet. Win-win, right? So, why settle for anything less when you can drive smart and save the planet (and some moolah) at the same time!
*UN-R101 lab test report is a standard adopted by major countries globally, including Singapore, for importation of automotive vehicles.
Did you know that transportation accounts for about 28% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and taking the lead in the global warming marathon?It turns out, your vehicle’s CO2 emissions are like the engine’s way of sending a postcard to Mother Nature.
So, why not join the eco-squad and make a difference – it’s time to enjoy a better drive and a lighter carbon footprint. Let’s drive change together!
Imagine your car becoming a lean, mean, fuel-saving machine, all while Mother Earth breathes a sigh of relief?
TUV Singapore (*UN-R101) validated a 4% reduction in carbon emissions and fuel consumption for NAMITEC. Your car becomes an environmental superhero, and you get to be the savvy, eco-conscious driver with a fatter wallet.
Win-win, right? So, why settle for anything less when you can drive smart and save the planet (and some moolah) at the same time!
*UN-R101 lab test report is a standard adopted by major countries globally, including Singapore, for importation of automotive vehicles.
Did you know that transportation accounts for about 28% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and taking the lead in the global warming marathon?It turns out, your vehicle’s CO2 emissions are like the engine’s way of sending a postcard to Mother Nature.
So, why not join the eco-squad and make a difference – it’s time to enjoy a better drive and a lighter carbon footprint. Let’s drive change together!
GENUINE REVIEWS
FIND OUT MORE
We highly recommend going for G-Max. It is our performance series with 4X extra graphene loading, delivering superior engine enhancement and the immediate effect is more obvious to most drivers.
However, G-Tech is also an excellent choice and works well. G-Max works well for all engines (petrol and diesel), and smaller engine vehicles too!
How long does NAMITEC effect last? What is the recommended top up interval?NAMITEC effect last for approx. ~5,000-10,000km depending on car model, driving habits, routes, sensitivity of driver.
Recommended usage interval is every oil change. However, you can also top up after 5,000km to maintain and enhance your engine performance.
When should I add NAMITEC?First-time buyer – Add to existing engine oil tank with less than 5,000km mileage.
New oil change – Run new oil for a minimum of 1,000km before adding NAMITEC – this step ensures you can feel the NAMITEC effect/difference vs new oil change.
What are the key benefits (for layman) to look out for after adding NAMITEC?You will notice better engine performance. Your engine will feel smoother, and the accelerator will be more responsive, making your car feel “lighter.”
Another common benefit is that your car will glide more smoothly when you release the accelerator.
How do I use NAMITEC?Simply add NAMITEC to your engine oil tank. Remember to shake the bottle well before adding it!
Why is NAMITEC so small in volume?NAMITEC is formulated to minimize changes in the chemical characteristics of your engine oil. It simply contains high-quality graphene and a specially formulated base oil.
More is not necessarily better; our formulation ensures that it does not alter essential engine oil parameters such as viscosity, foaming, and oxidation rate. This is why our dosage is significantly lower (intentionally) compared to conventional additives.
A good rule of thumb is to use a good engine oil with NAMITEC.
Is NAMITEC a liquid form of graphene?Graphene by itself is insoluble. (ie. It does not dissolve in liquid.)
The working principles of NAMITEC is solid lubrication. Well dispersed high-performance graphene (ultra-low thickness of 1nm) enter tribo-interfaces easily and form a tribol protective layer film.
Low shear strength of graphene enables a lower co-efficient of friction, allowing moving parts to slide past each other more easily while high mechanical strength offers wear and tear protection at the same time.
Does NAMITEC get ejected during oil change?Most of NAMITEC would be ejected during oil change.
Graphene has a very stable structure. It will not react and bond with other chemical groups easily. Graphene will fill the micro-gaps of the engine wall during the engine oil circulation process and will not bond to the engine wall.
PROVEN RESULTS
Keep your engine in top condition.
Protective graphene coating reduce wear and tear and prevent internal motor parts from wearing out too quickly.More power and less noise.
For more Graphene Engine Oil Additive manufacturerinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
Better lubrication coating improve sealing and restores engine compression to improve horsepower and torque. It also absorb and cushion mechanical shocks better, resulting in significantly quieter operation.