Solid Lubricant Nanoparticles as Wear-Reducing Additives in Sheet Metal Forming Fluids

Dispersed nanoparticles of solid lubricants in sheet metal forming fluids are studied for enhanced lubrication that can lead to improved product surface quality and reduced tool wear. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanoparticles of varying size and concentrations have shown marked reduction in wear of steel counterfaces representing the tool and in scoring of titanium sheet surfaces. The most effective particle concentration and size ranges were 0.25–4% and 70–100 nm. The counterface wear was reduced by 50–75% while the friction coefficient only marginally improved.