Extreme Pressure/Anti Wear Additives

Extreme pressure and anti-wear additives react with metal surfaces during operation at elevated temperatures or in highly pressured environments, forming a protective layer which prevents metal surfaces from scoring and welding together. 

The function of extreme pressure (EP) additives and anti-wear additives is to prevent adhesive wear and protect the metal components when the lubricating oil can no longer provide the necessary film thickness. 

Extreme pressure additives are normally used in heavily loaded applications such as gear oils, other power-transmitting fluids, load bearing greases, and metalworking fluids. They are usually supplemented with anti-wear additives to make them effective across a wide range of conditions. Anti-wear additives can be used alone for lighter load applications such as hydraulics and metalworking fluids.