The authors synthesized a number of esters of stearic acid with polyhydric alcohols and ran comparative tests on aliphatic alcohols to determine their effects on the antiwear properties of the fuel. They conclude that the differences in effectiveness in improving the lubricity by the use of aliphatic alcohols and the full and partial esters of polyhydric alcohols and stearic acid can be explained by the presence of hydroxyl and ester groups close to each other in partial esters. This is reflected in the higher polarity of the partial esters, a higher rate of adsorption, and a stronger bonding of the adsorbed layer to the metal surface.