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Lubricants: Types, Applications, and Performance Benefits
Lubricants are substances introduced between two moving surfaces to reduce friction, minimize wear, dissipate heat, and prevent corrosion, thereby ensuring the efficient and reliable operation of machinery. At their core, a lubricant functions by creating a thin, continuous film that separates moving parts, preventing direct metal-to-metal contact. This base functionality is achieved through three primary regimes: boundary lubrication (where additives form protective layers under high load), mixed lubrication, and full-film hydrodynamic or elastohydrodynamic lubrication (where the fluid film fully supports the load). Modern lubricants are complex, engineered formulations consisting of a base oil (mineral, synthetic, or bio-based) and a tailored package of performance additives that enhance properties like viscosity, oxidation stability, and extreme-pressure resistance.
The application of lubricants is universal across all mechanical systems, but their formulations are highly specialized. Engine oils for automotive and aviation must withstand high temperatures, fuel dilution, and soot while protecting emissions systems. Industrial lubricants…