The research results of graphene nano material as additive in lubricating oil,water,antifriction composites,lubricating grease in recent years were viewed.The influence of graphene nano additive on the tribological properties of materials was analyzed,the friction and wear mechanism was summarized.It was pointed out that the future research direction of graphene as high performance lubricating additives,including controllable graphene modification,the factors that influence the optimum amount of graphene additives in lubricating medium and the dispersion stability were studied,the tribological and chemical mechanism between grapheme additive and lubricants and the mechanism of synergistic effect between grapheme additive and other nano additives,and the mechanism of graphene additive to form a protective film in the friction process.