Project Launch: Friction Modifier

In modern industry, the demands on production speed and drive dynamics are increasing. To save energy, friction modifiers that reduce friction are increasingly being used. Little research has been conducted on these friction modifiers to date, and on November 1, 2026, the DGMK will launch a BMWE-funded research project.

The importance of friction modifiers has increased significantly, as the desire to reduce friction and improve energy efficiency is at the heart of many developments. In the field of rolling bearings, however, excessively low friction between the rolling elements and the raceway can lead to increased slippage—that is, an increase in the sliding component during rolling. It is not yet known which friction behavior is advantageous for safe and low-wear operation: High friction, to ensure a kinematically clean rolling process, or low friction, to keep the energy input into the surfaces low and thus counteract damage. This issue plays a particularly significant role in highly dynamic acceleration and deceleration processes, where high inertial forces are at work. The number of such plants and systems is steadily increasing due to rising demands on production speed and drive dynamics.

Project partners

• Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, Mannheim Tribology Competence Center
• RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau MEGT Chair of Machine Elements, Gearboxes, and Tribology

Join us!

Would you like to get involved in project support? Please contact us!

BMWE Supports Research

To this end, the BMWE is funding the research project „Effect of Friction Modifiers in Rolling Contact: The Case of Oil-Lubricated Rolling Bearings“ as part of its Industrial Collaborative Research program. The project is scheduled to begin on November 1, 2026.