Friction, It is defined as the action of and what occurs when one object rubs against another. It is a resistance to the action. When it comes to industrial machinery, the contact may be minimal or intense. In either case, the result can be harmful to the durability and productivity of the machinery. One of the means to reduce the potential for such potentially destructive interactions is by adding anti wear friction modifiers to the base oil used to lubricate the machinery.
What Are Anti-Wear Friction Modifiers?
Anti-wear friction modifiers – often called boundary lubrication additives, are additives to a base oil formula to reduce wear on various mechanisms and modify the amount of friction. Such modifiers are deployed to reduce the impact of light surface contact in such actions as rolling and sliding.
Applications and Results
Anti wear friction modifiers are generally added to engine oils and automatic transmissions. By reducing the level of friction in these important vehicle components, they
- Improve the fuel economy of a vehicle (Engine Oils)
- Enrich clutch engagement (Transmission Fluids)
However, while this may be their intended goal, these additives do much more. They perform multiple functions including:
- Antioxidants
- Corrosion inhibitors
Anti Wear Friction Modifiers
Since the 1970s, friction modifiers have been utilized to ensure the reduction of friction. In doing so, such additives ensure the prevention of wear upon the transmission, engine and related components. When deployed correctly, the shifting of gears in a transmission, for example, progresses smoothly from a dynamic to a static condition.
