How does a lubricant control abrasive wear?

A lubricant controls abrasive wear by creating a physical film that separates sliding surfaces. By increasing the distance between these surfaces, the lubricant reduces the damage caused by surface asperities and abrasive contaminants that might otherwise come into direct contact.1

Essentially, this film acts as a barrier that prevents the mechanical interaction of two sliding surfaces under load, which is the primary cause of material loss. By maintaining this separation, the lubricant minimizes the potential for hard, rough surfaces to produce grooves on softer materials or for loose abrasive particles to cause damage between sliding components.12