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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #220964

Title: SURFACTANTS IN LUBRICATION

Author
item Biresaw, Girma

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2008
Publication Date: 4/20/2009
Citation: Biresaw, G. 2009. Surfactants in Lubrication. In: Rudnick, L.R., editor. Lubricant Additives: Chemistry and Applications. 2nd edition. Boca Raton, FL: Taylor and Francis. p. 399-419.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Surfactants are one of the most widely applied materials by consumers and industry. The application areas for surfactants span from everyday mundane tasks such as cleaning, to highly complex processes involving the formulation of pharmaceuticals, foods, pesticides, lubricants, etc. Even though surfactants have been known and applied for centuries, they continue to be the subject of vigorous research and development effort. This is because of the continued development of new and complex applications, requiring new and improved surfactants, and a deeper understanding of their performance. This chapter provides an overview of the chemical structures and properties of surfactants responsible for their widespread use. It also provides a discussion of some of the numerous functions of surfactants in lubrication. In addition, an in-depth review of two important functions of surfactants in lubrication, solubilization and boundary friction, is given. The boundary friction properties of agriculture-based surfactants are also reviewed.