LAUSR

Abstract The present study aims at enhancing the thermal performance of SAE 50 engine oil by adding zinc oxide nanoparticles. The investigations are performed in the thermal range of 25 to 55 °C and at the volume fractions of 0.125 to 1.5%. In this regard, first, the characterization of nanoparticles was performed to examine their surface and atomic structure. Moreover, following the manufacture of the nano-lubricant, its stability was investigated by the DLS test. After ensuring the results of nano-lubricant stability, different samples were prepared according to the variations in volume fraction, followed by the experimental measurement of the thermal conductivity of nano-lubricant. The obtained results revealed an ascending trend in thermal conductivity by increasing temperature and concentration. The maximum thermal conductivity enhancement was 8.74%. Based on the experimental results, a sharply precise relation was proposed to predict the ratio of nano-lubricant thermal conductivity to that of the tested base fluid.