Automotive and Industrial Tribology Challenges

Andrew Jackson, NAE

Senior Scientific Advisor,

Corporate Strategic Research Laboratory

ExxonMobil Research and Engineering

Clinton, New Jersey

The presentation opens with a primer on tribology, the science of interacting surfaces in relative motion, and then reviews the role of tribology in the formulation of automotive and industrial lubricants. Economic drivers for engineering equipment include efficiency, reliability, maintenance costs, productivity and durability, all of which are impacted by tribology. Tribologists consider equipment in terms of the components where surface interactions take place, such as cams, bearings, gears, pistons and seals. Lubricants are formulated to control friction, wear, seizure, fatigue, deposits, sludge and corrosion.

The scale of the global lubricants business is outlined. Tribology research methods for the discovery of lubricants with enhanced performance are then briefly discussed. Examples of tribology challenges covered in the presentation include balancing fuel economy and wear protection in passenger vehicle engine oils, formulation issues facing commercial vehicle engine oils in the face of emission regulations, and efficiency and durability enhancements in gear oils and hydraulic oils.

Opportunities for improved performance of lubricants are then summarized in light of market needs and the presentation will close with thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of lubrication technology together with a summary of automotive and industrial tribology challenges in 2009 and beyond.