boundary lubrication
Thin-film friction reduction
Boundary lubrication is a condition where surfaces in contact are separated only by a thin molecular film of lubricant rather than a full fluid layer.
Under high loads or slow speeds, the lubricant film becomes too thin to keep surfaces fully apart, so friction and wear depend on the chemical properties of the lubricant adhering to the surfaces.
Contrast with hydrodynamic lubrication, where a thicker fluid layer carries the load.
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- oilSlippery viscous fluid
- greaseThick oily lubricant
- wearCarry on person
- thin filmNarrow surface coating
contact · sliding · asperity · metal · seizure · additive · viscosity · surface · pressure · coefficient · gears · bearings · extreme pressure · molecular · adsorption · squealing · roughness · load
- lubricantsgrease, motor oil, engine oil, gear oil, hydraulic oil
- lubricationoiling, grease, greasing, motor oil, engine oil
- bearingsball bearing, ball bearings, roller bearing, roller bearings, bearing
boundary, bound, bounds, bounded, bounding, boundless, boundaries, lubrication, lubricate