Siloxane Traction Fluids with Ring-Shaped Branch Structures and Method of Using

The use of at least one polysiloxane base oil as a low wear, traction fluid capable of increasing the interface friction between two mechanical surfaces when the surfaces are moved relative to one another, the polysiloxane base oil corresponding to the structural formula:

• wherein R and R′ are independently selected, such that R is an alkyl group having between 1-3 carbon atoms;
• R′ is a cycloalkyl or aryl group having between 5-20 carbon atoms;
• m is an integer;
• and n is an integer or 0 with 5<(m+n)<100 and 0.50<m/(m+n)<1.00.

A method of increasing the interface friction between two mechanical surfaces when the surfaces are moved relative to one another, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a machine element having a first surface and a second surface;
• the first and second surfaces being in contact with one another in the machine element;
• providing a traction fluid between the first surface and second surface, the traction fluid comprising:
• at least one polysiloxane base oil corresponding to the structural formula:
• wherein R and R′ are independently selected, such that R is an alkyl group having between 1-3 carbon atoms;
• R′ is a cycloalkyl or aryl group having between 5-20 carbon atoms;
• m is an integer;
• and n is an integer or 0 with 5<(m+n)<100 and 0.50<m/(m+n)<1.00;
• and
• allowing the first surface to roll or slide past the second surface such that the traction fluid increases the interface friction between the first and second surfaces.