Deciphering the Little Known World of Lubricating Greases

摘要

It is by now well established that we need lubricants to reduce friction and wear between two moving metal surfaces. Historically, the first lubricant ever used for this purpose was water applied by the Chinese in about 3500 BC. Later on, it was found that water is not a good lubricant; it's a better coolant. it is believed that the use of lubricants emerged concomitantly with the discovery of wheel. The analysis of remains of ancient Egyptian chariot hubs indicates that animal fat/vegetable oil mixed with lime was used to lubricate the hubs. Experts feel that the genesis of lime (calcium) base grease dates back to this period. Since then, until the middle of the 19th century, such tpes of crude lubricants continued to serve the purpose of lbrication; they kept the wheels moving.