Tribological properties of serpentine, La(OH)3 and their composite particles as lubricant additives

La(OH)3 nanoparticles and serpentine/La(OH)3 composite particles were synthesized via sol–gel method. The phase compositions, micro-morphology of the synthesized particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The tribological properties of different samples were tested and compared by the MM-10W Multi-functional friction abrasion tester and MHK-500 Ring-block wear testing machine. The TEM figure indicates that La(OH)3 nanoparticles are granular, the average size of the particles is 50 nm. The SEM figure of the composite particles illustrates that La(OH)3 particles uniformly coat on the surface of serpentine particles. The results of the friction tests indicate that serpentine, La(OH)3 and serpentine/La(OH)3 composite particles all exhibit friction-reducing and anti-wear properties compared to the base oil. The oil containing the composite particles have the best friction-reducing, anti-wear and self-repairing properties. The friction coefficients are reduced by 24.63% and the diameters of friction spots are reduced by 41.88% compared to the base oil. The energy spectrum of tribosurface gives evidence of that the contact area of rubbing pair was repaired by composite particles during friction tests.