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The efficiency of lubricated machine elements such as transmissions, crankcase engines, and hydraulic pumps depends strongly on the friction properties of the lubricant employed. For the design of modern, highly efficient lubricants it is thus essential to understand the influence of the components of the lubricating fluid in terms of film formation and consequent friction. The influence of Polyalkylmethacrylate (PMA) Viscosity Index Improvers on those important parameters has been studied by means of optical interferometry and friction testing. Low friction coefficients and positive contributions to the boundary film thickness of the lubricant were obtained when composition and architecture of the polymeric VII were appropriately designed.

A progressive reduction in the permitted level of phosphorus in lubricating oils, coupled with concern to maintain engine and transmission durability, means that it is becoming increasingly important to understand the detailed mechanism of antiwear additive behavior. This paper describes a new experimental technique, which is able to measure both the thickness and distribution of antiwear additive films in rolling/sliding contacts. This enables the kinetics of antiwear film build-up to be investigated and the influence of the reaction film on friction and wear to be monitored. In the current paper, this technique is used to compare the film-forming behavior of ash-containing and ashless antiwear additives.

Polyalkylmethacrylates (PAMAs) are widely used as viscosity index improvers and dispersant boosters in engine, transmission and hydraulic oils. They have been shown to be able to adsorb from oil solution on to metal surfaces, to produce thick, viscous boundary films. These films enhance lubricant film formation in slow speed and high temperature conditions and thus produce a significant reduction of friction and wear. In a recent systematic study a range of dispersant and non-dispersant PAMAs has been synthesized. The influence of different functionalities, molecular weights and architectures on both boundary film formation and friction has been explored using optical interferometry and friction-speed charting. From the results, guidelines have been developed for designing PAMAs having optimal boundary lubricating properties. In the current paper the film forming, friction and wear properties of solutions of two functionalised PAMAs is first described.