Dr.-Ing. Alfian Ferdiansyah, S.T., M.T., lecturer from the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (DTMM), Faculty of Engineering (FT), Universitas Indonesia (UI), created a lubricant additive (friction modifier) by utilizing lead smelting waste. The use of SnO2 (lead oxide) nano powder is used to overcome the limitations of anti-wear and anti-friction additives from conventional additives which are not yet optimal in responding to chemical reactions with the substrate.
The initial motivation for this research was the fact that in vehicles, components that are in contact with each other are the key to making the vehicle move. However, friction between components is often the main cause of component failure, with component damage caused by friction up to 82%. A study conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States even recorded losses of up to $240 billion per year due to lubrication problems. As a result, the industry must allocate up to 15% of total maintenance costs to address this problem. In fact, with proper lubrication management, this cost can be reduced to only around 2% of the total maintenance cost.
This nanotechnology innovation, which is a breakthrough in the world of lubricants, is the result of collaboration between the academic world and the industrial world, in this case PT Timah Tbk, represented by Fazar Dinata, Muhammad Robby Firmansyah, and Sabrina Saraswati.
Dr. Alfian said, “The collaboration with PT Timah Tbk., has enabled us to design SnO2 nano oxide particles as an additive to lubricants. What’s interesting is that the SnO2 nanopowder that we use is synthesized from waste from tin smelting, so we achieve increased added value. This innovation also opens up great opportunities in utilizing waste containing lead, such as electronic waste.“
The choice of nanomaterial as a lubricant additive is based on its superiority in overcoming the weaknesses of anti-wear and anti-friction additives from conventional additives, which are not yet optimal in interacting with the substrate. Another advantage of nanoparticles is their size reaching the nanometer range, which allows ideal interfacial friction regulation.
Dean of FTUI, Prof. Dr. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU., said, “This research and design is very interesting because it explores the topic of nanotechnology which has many benefits. We hope that this research can continue to be developed, considering its positive impact which can open up great opportunities in the context of a circular economy.”
This innovation has made an achievement by winning second place in the Think Efficiency 2023 event in the Tribology category. Think Efficiency 2023 is a competition organized by Shell Indonesia and the Indonesian Renewable Energy Society, which aims to encourage efficient innovation and have a positive impact in the fields of Energy (new technology, decarbonization and energy access), Tribology (coefficient of friction, wear speed and maintenance) , as well as digitalization (sustainable supply chain, optimization and integration and energy efficiency). The winners of this competition were announced on Thursday (19/10).
