The role of carrier fluid in the tribological behaviour of metallic stearates

Abstract

It is shown that the carrier fluid has a marked effect on the performance of metallic stearates. Some metallic stearates in water provide improved tribological activities and thus their application in aqueous media may be useful in the reduction of pollution arising from oil components in many metal-working processes. With calcium, strontium and barium stearates the range of lubrication in aqueous media can be extended. The interaction of calcium stearate with graphite has been shown to be beneficial in improving antiseize properties. In these cases it is thought that a layer formulation of metallic stearates may partly explain the lubrication mechanism. © 1992.