The boundary films formed in sliding on steel surfaces were characterized using various lubricants. The mechanism of boundary film formation and loss was investigated over a range of temperature. The thickness of the boundary films was monitored in-situ by an ellipsometer, and the composition of the films was analyzed by XPS. The performance of the lubricants is closely associated with boundary film forming ability. In order to achieve high load carrying capacity, a boundary film must be formed on the surface. Sliding is necessary to form the films and some time is also required. As temperature increases, chemical reactivity increases the film formation rate, while the film removal rate increases due to thg decrease of durability of the boundary film material. There is a balance between these two competing mechanisms and this balance is reflected in the boundary film thickness.