Rubber Friction in Aqueous Solutions Containing Ions

Lubricants ordinarily operate by keeping two sliding surfaces separated. The efficiency of a lubricant may be expressed by equations of hydrodynamics where the mechanical properties of the films of lubricants are adequately defined by the properties of bulk lubricant. In the case of water lubrication of black rubber at slow speeds and low pressures the lubricating ability of water is shown to be enhanced by addition of electrolytes to the water. It is thought that negative ions from the electrolytic solution collect on each sliding surface, repel each other and prevent the close approach of two sliding surfaces. Thus a thicker water film exists between the sliding surfaces than if the ion layers did not exist. The thicker film results in a reduced viscous drag force, lower than can be accounted for by conventional hydrodynamics.