Nano copper plays a synergistic role as lubricant additive with additives of antifriction agent,anti-wear agent and antioxidant on friction-reduction,anti-wear and self-repair due to its low shear strength and grain boundary slip effect,which has strong engineering application potential.The recent research progress of engineering tribology of nano-copper as lubricant additive was reviewed,the lubrication mechanism of nano-copper was discussed.The influence rules of dispersion stability,particle size and content of nano-copper particles on tribological property were summarized,and the methods to enhance the dispersion stability of nano-copper particles were described.It is pointed out that the current understanding of the tribological research and lubrication mechanism of nano copper additives is still lack in systematicness.Due to the high free energy on the surface of nano-copper,the uncertainty of system stability and lubrication effectiveness restricts the industrial application of nano copper as lubricant additive.Finally,the development trend of nano copper additives was prospected.