The history and mechanisms of ZDDP

This paper reviews research into the mechanisms of action of the lubricating oil additive, zinc dialkyldithophosphate (ZDDP). The development of the use and research into ZDDP is first charted historically, starting with the additive's first introduction in engine oils in the late 1930s. Then our current state of knowledge of each of the main facets of ZDDP behaviour both in solution and at metal surfaces is identified and discussed. It is concluded that we now know a great deal about the properties and morphology of ZDDP antiwear films but still relatively little about the reaction pathways that lead to ZDDP film formation or about the kinetics of ZDDP film generation and removal.