PurposeThis paper sets out to study tribological properties, anticorrosive performances and thermal stabilities of two novel S‐N type triazinyl‐containing polysulfides {Bis[2,4‐bis(diethylamino)‐s‐triazin‐6‐yl] polysulfide (BBET‐PS) and Bis[2,4‐bis(di‐n‐butylamino)‐s‐triazin‐6‐yl] polysulfide (BBBT‐PS)} as additives in biodegradable grease, and to estimate the tribochemical mechanism.Design/methodology/approachExtreme pressure (EP) and anti‐wear (AW) properties of two compounds at different addition concentration were evaluated using a four‐ball machine. Their wear scar was analyzed with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and a scanning electron microscope.FindingsTwo novel S‐N type triazinyl‐containing polysulfides possess excellent load‐carrying capacity, good AW and show good corrosion‐inhibiting performance. The thermal stability of BBB‐PS is better than that of BBE‐PS. According to the XPS results, the triazinyl‐containing polysulfides react with the metal to generate a surface protective film consisting of sulfate, FeS and absorbed compounds containing organic‐N.Research limitations/implicationsThe antioxidant and biodegradability of the two novel compounds were not investigated.Practical implicationsTwo effective EP and AW additives were synthesized, and maybe potentially industrial applied lubricating grease additives.Originality/valueThe achievement of this study is the synthesis of two triazinyl‐containing polysulfides, which can be effective additives to improve the tribological performance of biodegradable grease.