The possibility to reduce the amount of cutting fluids from machining processes is actively studied by the industrials and researchers. Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) is a solution towards cutting fluids reduction. This article investigates the consequences on friction coefficient induced by the use of MQL. A tribometer is used in order to simulate experimentally the tribological conditions encountered during machining. As the cutting speed increases a lower amount of oil is deposited on the rough surfaces. Depending on the MQL operating conditions and sliding velocities it is plausible to reach starvation by leaving the real rough contact partly dry. A model computing a starvation percentage by filling an estimated oil amount in a deformed topography correlates with the experimental results. © 2015 by ASME