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

The novel composite material MoS 2 -Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles were synthesized via mussel-inspired chemistry of dopamine. Hot rolling lubrication performance of MoS 2 -Al 2 O 3 in water-based fluid was evaluated using a two-high rolling mill. Results showed that the synthesized MoS 2 -Al 2 O 3 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 Fe 2 O 3 in oxide scale has lowered when rolled with nanofluids, owing to the antioxidation effect of nanoparticles during lubrication. MoS 2 has partially oxidized to MoO 3 and the excellent lubrication performance of MoS 2 -Al 2 O 3 nanofluid resulted from the lubricating film formed by these three nanoparticles.