Lubrication

Lubrication is a process or technique employed to reduce wear of one or both surfaces in close proximity, and moving relative to each another, by interposing a substance called lubricant between the surfaces to carry or to help carry the load (pressure generated) between the opposing surfaces. The interposed lubricant film can be a solid, (e.g. MoS2) a solid/liquid dispersion, a liquid, a liquid-liquid dispersion gasses.

Types of Lubrication

There are three distinct types of lubrication: boundary, mixed, and full-film.

Boundary Lubrication

In Boundary lubrication, the bodies come into closer contact at their asperities; the heat developed by the local pressures causes a condition which is part of the boundary lubrication state.

Mixed Lubrication

Mixed lubrication is a condition in which a lubricant film (oil film) does not completely separate the friction surfaces, but significantly affects the friction and wear rates.

Full-film Lubrication

In Full-film lubrication, the motion of the contacting surfaces, and the design of the bearing is used to pump lubricant around the bearing to maintain the lubricating film.

Lubrication Theory

Lubrication theory is the science of studying lubrication – its type, flow and the lubricants. It is a discipline that is guided by the principles of fluid dynamics and tribology.

Lubricants

Lubricants are typically used to separate moving parts in a system. This separation has the benefit of reducing friction and surface fatigue, together with reduced heat generation, operating noise and vibrations.

See Also

• Hydrodynamic lubrication
• Elastohydrodynamic lubrication
• Lubrication theory
• Tribology

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