| Abstract: | The design of lubricants has traditionally relied on the use of single dimension constitution / performance or structure / property relationships. In this paper a strategy is described whereby consideration is given to the inherent property / property (physical and chemical) correlations that exist for fluid lubricants. Progress towards the development of optimised lubricants is then achieved by identifying the molecular structural or compositional traits associated with ‘extensions’ to or ‘deviations’ from the mainstream correlations. Some examples of the success of this novel strategy will be provided, and the directions of its further refinement briefly outlined. |
