Compatibility between tribological surfaces and lubricant additives—How friction and wear reduction can be controlled by surface/lube synergies

This paper reviews the recent trends in materials technology and lubricant additive technology in engines. The paper will review key developments in surface engineering, application of nanocomposite materials and other advanced materials (including light alloys). It will also assess the trends towards “greener” lubricant additives, driven by environmental legislation and will discuss the implications for lubrication in the next decade. The key part of the paper will be to review the extent to which materials and lubricants are being used in partnership in engineering systems to capitalize on the synergies, which can exist between surfaces and lubricants in boundary lubrication. In a similar manner there are some important antagonisms that need to be identified—an appreciation of such compatibility issues can assist engineers in selecting a lubrication system.The paper will review existing literature from outside the work conducted by the authors and will substantiate some of the important aspects of boundary lubrication surface/lubricant compatibility through reference to some recent work conducted by the authors.