Superior lubrication performance of MoS2-Al2O3 composite nanofluid in strips hot rolling

Abstract The novel composite material MoS2-Al2O3 nanoparticles were synthesized via mussel-inspired chemistry of dopamine. Hot rolling lubrication performance of MoS2-Al2O3 in water-based fluid was evaluated using a two-high rolling mill. Results showed that the synthesized MoS2-Al2O3 nanofluid exhibited optimum hot rolling lubrication performance. The finish rolling thickness and rolled surface roughness reached lowest. Meanwhile the rolling force and oxide scale thickness of strips were respectively reduced by 26.9 % and 54.2 % compared with base-fluid lubricating condition. The ratio of Fe2O3 in oxide scale has lowered when rolled with nanofluids, owing to the antioxidation effect of nanoparticles during lubrication. MoS2 has partially oxidized to MoO3 and the excellent lubrication performance of MoS2-Al2O3 nanofluid resulted from the lubricating film formed by these three nanoparticles.