Performance Evaluation of Nano-Lubricants at Thrust Slide-Bearing of Scroll Compressors

This paper presents the friction and anti-wear characteristics of nano-oil with a mixture of refrigerant oil and carbon nano-particles in the thrust slide-bearing of scroll compressors. Frictional loss in the thrust slide-bearing occupies a large part of total mechanical loss in scroll compressors. The characteristics of friction and anti-wear using nano-oil is evaluated using a thrust bearing tester for measuring the temperature of friction surface and the coefficient of friction at the thrust slide-bearing as a function of normal loads up to 4,000N and orbiting speed up to 3,200 rpm. It is found that the coefficient of friction increases with decreasing orbiting speed and normal force. The friction coefficient of carbon nano-oil is 0.015, while that of pure oil is 0.023. It is believed that carbon nano-particles can be coated and improved the lubrication on the friction surfaces. Carbon nano-oil enhances the characteristics of the anti-wear at the thrust slide-bearing of scroll compressors.