AbstractLubricants are often used to improve the behaviour of ceramics for tribological applications. In this paper, the case of Zirconia, lubricated with different additive‐containing lubricants, is described, to show the antiwear mechanisms during boundary lubrication of ceramics. It was found that the presence of a lubricant eliminates the surface degradation observed in dry friction (mainly transfers). The use of an ester‐based lubricant is associated with a decrease in wear of the ceramic, while silicone‐based lubricants lead to surface damage.With additives, the formation of an interfacial layer adherent to the ceramic is dependent upon the tribological behaviour of the base alone. If that layer is created, zirconia does not form part of its compos