Additives are added to lubricating oils for rolling bearings to fulfill a variety of specific functions and ensure their service life. These include protection against wear and corrosion. In practice, various additives are combined to ensure effective lubrication. Polar additives, such as anti-wear and anti-corrosion additives, act directly on the bearing surfaces by forming boundary layers. Interactions between polar additive groups can sometimes lead to competition or synergies, which influence the wear and corrosion protection of rolling bearings.
An understanding of additive interactions is essential for lubricant developers and users.
