A review on water lubrication of polymers

Water lubrication for polymers which is an economical solution has not been completelyreviewed from the qualitative perspective. A comparative study on water lubrication of polymers helpsto understand the fundamental aspects of tribology relevant to the different applications. The use ofwater as a lubricating material has been effective after the development of phenolic resins, further towhich the advancements in thermoplastics has increased the water lubrication to a greater extent.Most of the researches on water lubrication of polymers reported a positive frictional character anduncertain wear behavior on comparing with air and oil lubrication. From the existing literature inpolymer tribology with different parameters such as contact pressure, velocity and composition ofmaterials there is a lack of knowledge in understanding the mechanism involved during the wearprocess for water lubrication. Moreover, connection between the mechanical properties of polymerunder wet condition relating to the water lubricated polymers could give appropriate results oftribological behavior. Exploring the tribo-mechanical characteristic in wet condition aids to chooseappropriate material for water lubricated applications