Friction reducing and anti-wear property of metallic friction pairs under lubrication of aqueous solutions with polyether added

The tribological behaviors of steel–aluminium and steel–steel friction pairs lubricated by aqueous solution with amine-polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene-ether, KE-1, as additives are investigated with the help of universal micro-tribotester. The results show that the lubricant has a good effect on the performances of friction reducing and anti-wear. It demonstrates a better performance to steel–steel friction pair than steel–aluminium pairs for the anti-wear property under same conditions. ► Aqueous solutions with KE-1 as additives are investigated. ► KE-1 addition improves friction reduction and wear mitigation. ► The surface activity contributes to the performance promotion.