Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication Mechanisms of Aqueous Polyethylene Glycols

Water-soluble polyalkylene glycols have become a growing subject of research to achieve liquid superlubricity in elastohydrodynamically lubricated contacts. While the influence of various factors, including water content and viscosity, has been extensively studied, the underlying mechanisms responsi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inTribology letters Vol. 73; no. 2; p. 41
Main Authors Hofmann, Stefan, Hou, Jingyu, Lohner, Thomas, Stahl, Karsten
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New York Springer US 01.06.2025
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects
Chemistry and Materials Science
Corrosion and Coatings
Elastohydrodynamic lubrication
Film thickness
Friction
Low pressure
Lubricants
Lubricants & lubrication
Lubrication
Materials Science
Moisture content
Nanotechnology
Original Paper
Physical Chemistry
Polyethylene glycol
Running in
Surfaces and Interfaces
Theoretical and Applied Mechanics
Thin Films
Tribology
Viscosity
Aqueous lubrication
Superlubricity
Polyethylene glycol
Elastohydrodynamic lubrication
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Summary:Water-soluble polyalkylene glycols have become a growing subject of research to achieve liquid superlubricity in elastohydrodynamically lubricated contacts. While the influence of various factors, including water content and viscosity, has been extensively studied, the underlying mechanisms responsible for liquid superlubricity under elastohydrodynamic lubrication remain poorly understood. In this study, aqueous polyethylene glycols of varying average chain length with the same viscosity but different water content or average chain length distribution are examined in relation to elastohydrodynamic friction and film thickness. The results indicate, that under fluid film lubrication, the low pressure–viscosity coefficient is the primary factor leading to liquid superlubricity. No running-in period is required, allowing for stable and persistent ultra-low friction level immediately. Additionally, at a constant water content, an optimum average chain length distribution was identified, resulting in reduced friction while the film thickness remained largely unaffected. This enables the targeted design of aqueous lubricants based on polyethylene glycol. Graphical abstract
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ISSN:1023-8883
1573-2711
DOI:10.1007/s11249-025-01962-9