Nanolubrication

Abstract

Lubrication strategies developed long time ago employed amphiphilic molecular lubricant additives to confer to lubricating oils or greases specific properties such as friction reduction, antiwear, anticorrosion. The understanding of their action and the development of various type of nanoparticles are at the origin of new lubrication strategies using composite or functionalized nanoparticles in dispersion in lubricating oils or greases to confer to the lubricants the needed functions. The present work is concerned with the presentation of these new approaches. Some examples will be developed to show the main aspects of the mechanisms of action of these new nano-additives. © 2009 Sociedade Brasileira de Física.