To study deleterious effects of contaminants contained in lubricating systems, the effects of fine alumina particle concentration and size on the critical failure load, friction and wear characteristic were examined on boundary lubrication condition using the four ball machine. The following conclusions are deduced: The abrasive is found to cause a transition from mild wear to severe wear at less severe conditions than with clean oil. In mild wear region the friction and wear increase with particle size and concentration, but in severe wear region do not exhibit any definite trend. In relation to film thinckness there is a threshold of particle size beyond which the failure load no longer decreases with particle size.