Fundamentals and Recent Trends in Polymer Additives

Abstract

In recent years, global warming caused by greenhouse gases has become an issue worldwide, and various efforts have been made to achieve carbon neutrality. In the automotive industry, polymer additives such as viscosity index improvers have contributed to higher performance of lubricants. In addition, polymer additives can provide various functions such as improvement of friction, wear, and seizure depending on the molecular design, and it is important to understand the parameters necessary to provide such functions. This paper describes the fundamentals to be considered in the design of polymer additives and introduces the latest developments of polymer additives with friction and wear reducing effects.