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Boundary lubrication under water

Author

Listed:
  • Wuge H. Briscoe

    (University of Oxford)

  • Simon Titmuss

    (University of Oxford)

  • Fredrik Tiberg

    (University of Oxford
    Camrus AB, Ideon Science Park)

  • Robert K. Thomas

    (University of Oxford)

  • Duncan J. McGillivray

    (University of Oxford
    Johns Hopkins University)

  • Jacob Klein

    (University of Oxford
    Weizmann Institute of Science)

Abstract

New-wave lubricants Classical boundary lubrication is widespread in engineering applications and is also thought to exist in biological systems. It minimizes friction and wear by ensuring that rubbing takes place between the 'boundary' layers of surfactant molecules that coat each surface, rather than between the substrates themselves. Experiments with boundary-lubricant coated sliding surfaces immersed in water now show that friction stress can be reduced by two orders of magnitude or more, relative to its value in dry air. The mechanism may involve the hydration of charged head groups that can then slide easily on the surfaces to which they are attached. This new type of boundary lubrication could be useful for developing better lubricated artificial implants and new medical treatments for joint problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Wuge H. Briscoe & Simon Titmuss & Fredrik Tiberg & Robert K. Thomas & Duncan J. McGillivray & Jacob Klein, 2006. "Boundary lubrication under water," Nature, Nature, vol. 444(7116), pages 191-194, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:444:y:2006:i:7116:d:10.1038_nature05196
    DOI: 10.1038/nature05196
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    Cited by:

    1. Kuichang Zuo & Xiang Zhang & Xiaochuan Huang & Eliezer F. Oliveira & Hua Guo & Tianshu Zhai & Weipeng Wang & Pedro J. J. Alvarez & Menachem Elimelech & Pulickel M. Ajayan & Jun Lou & Qilin Li, 2022. "Ultrahigh resistance of hexagonal boron nitride to mineral scale formation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.

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