Elastohydrodynamic lubrication performance of PUMA-PSMA supramolecular polymer gel lubricant

In this study, free radical polymerization was employed to prepare a supramolecular polymer gelator called PUMA-PSMA, containing urea groups. The incorporation of this gelator is anticipated to enhance the heat resistance of the gel lubricant. The resulting PUMA-PSMA gels demonstrate favorable mechanical strength and the ability to recover from deformation. Additionally, the PUMA-PSMA gel has a greater film thickness compared to the base oil when the oil supply is abundant. In cases of limited lubricant supply, the PUMA-PSMA gel effectively undergoes shear thinning, reducing the duration of oil starvation. These gel lubricants help prevent the loss of lubricant to some extent and are poised to serve as an innovative type of lubricant.