Dr.-Ing. Alfian Ferdiansyah, S.T., M.T., a lecturer from the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (DTMM), Faculty of Engineering (FT), Universitas Indonesia (UI), created a friction modifier by utilising tin smelting waste. The use of SnO2 (tin oxide) nanopowder is used to overcome the limitations of conventional anti-wear and anti-friction additives that are not optimal in responding to chemical reactions with the substrate.
The initial motivation for this research was the fact that in a vehicle, components in contact with each other are key for the vehicle to move. However, friction between these components is often a major cause of component failure, with up to 82% of component damage caused by friction. Studies conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States have even recorded losses of up to $240 billion per year due to lubrication problems. As a result, the industry has to allocate up to 15% of the total maintenance cost to overcome this problem. In fact, with proper lubrication management, this cost can be reduced to only about 2% of the total maintenance cost.
This nanotechnology innovation, which is a breakthrough in the lubricant world, 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 additives in lubricants. What is interesting is that the SnO2 nano powder we use is synthesised from tin smelting waste, so we achieve an increase in added value. This innovation also opens up great opportunities in the utilisation of tin-containing waste, such as electronic waste.”
The choice of nanomaterials as lubricant additives is based on their advantages in overcoming the weaknesses of conventional anti-wear and anti-friction additives that are not optimal in interacting with the substrate. Another advantage of nanoparticles is their size which reaches the nanometre range, which allows for ideal interface 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 this research can continue to be developed, given its positive impact that can open up great opportunities in the context of a circular economy.”
This innovation was achieved by winning second place in the Think Efficiency 2023 event in the Tribology category. Think Efficiency 2023 is a competition organised by Shell Indonesia and the Indonesian Renewable Energy Society, which aims to encourage efficient and impactful innovations in Energy (new technologies, decarbonisation and energy access), Tribology (coefficient of friction, wear speed and maintenance), and Digitalisation (sustainable supply chain, optimisation and integration and energy efficiency). The winners of this competition were announced on Thursday (19/10).
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Public Communication Bureau
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia