The properties of a number of common lubricants have been measured, namely
the viscosity, elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) friction coefficient, d
ensity thermal conductivity and heat capacity per unit volume. These proper
ties have been measured within relatively broad pressure and temperature ra
nges. The lubricants tested were naphthenic and paraffinic mineral oils, bl
ends of these, polyalphaolefins and a polyglycol.
Physical-empirical expressions have been developed upon the basis of the me
asurement results and a number of lubricant constants, or lubricant paramet
ers, have been determined for each lubricant. These expressions can be used
in engineering computational tools for lubrication analysis. The use of su
ch analyses is expected to increase into the new millennium and it is thus
important to provide reliable and relevant input data.