Surface conditioning with cycloalkane carboxylic acids as additives for wear protection

A method of lubricating a steel surface, the method comprising:

• applying a composition comprising a cycloalkane carboxylic acid dissolved in a hydrocarbon fluid lubricant to a steel rubbing interface between a first steel surface and a second steel surface;
• rubbing the first steel surface against the second steel surface at the rubbing interface for a pre-conditioning period, whereby a tribofilm is formed via dissociation of the hydrocarbon into fragments and subsequent re-polymerization of the fragments;
• flushing the rubbing interface using a cycloalkane carboxylic acid-free hydrocarbon for a flush period;
• and
• subsequently resuming the rubbing of the first steel surface against the second steel surface in the presence of the cycloalkane carboxylic acid-free hydrocarbon for a period of operation lasting at least 60 minutes.