Tribology is the science and engineering of
interacting surfaces in relative motion. It includes the study and application of the principles of
friction, lubrication and wear. Tribology is a branch of mechanical
engineering and materials science.
The tribological interactions of a solid surface's exposed face with interfacing materials and environment may result in loss of material from the surface. The process leading to loss of material is known as "wear". Major types of wear include abrasion, friction (adhesion and cohesion), erosion, and corrosion. Wear can be minimized by modifying the surface properties of solids by one or more "surface engineering" processes (also called surface finishing) or by use of lubricants (for frictional or adhesive wear).
Estimated direct and consequential annual loss to industries in theUSA
In recent years, micro- and nanotribology have been gaining ground. Frictional interactions in microscopically small components are becoming increasingly important for the development of new products in electronics, life sciences, chemistry, sensors and by extension for all modern technology.
The study of tribology is commonly applied in bearing design but extends into almost all other aspects of modern technology, even to such unlikely areas as hair conditioners and cosmetics such as lipstick, powders and lip gloss.
Any product where one material slides or rubs over another is affected by complex tribological interactions, whether lubricated like hip implants and other artificial prostheses, or unlubricated as in high temperature sliding wear in which conventional lubricants cannot be used but in which the formation of compacted oxide layer glazes have been observed to protect against wear.
Tribology plays an important role in manufacturing. In metal-forming operations, friction increases tool wear and the power required to work a piece. This results in increased costs due to more frequent tool replacement, loss of tolerance as tool dimensions shift, and greater forces required to shape a piece. The use of lubricants which minimize direct surface contact reduces tool wear and power requirements.
Since the 1990s, new areas of tribology have emerged, including the nanotribology, biotribology, and green tribology. These interdisciplinary areas study the friction, wear and lubrication at the nanoscale (including the Atomic force microscopy and micro/nanoelectromechanical systems, MEMS/NEMS), in biomedical applications (e.g., human joint prosthetics, dental materials), and ecological aspects of friction, lubrication and wear (tribology of clean energy sources, green lubricants, biomimetic tribology).
Recently, intensive studies of superlubricity (phenomenon of vanishing friction) have sparked due to high demand in energy savings. Development of new materials, such as graphene, initiated development of fundamentally new approaches in the lubrication field. Moreover, the industrial process such as heat treatment also change the wear rate.
Fundamentals
The tribological interactions of a solid surface's exposed face with interfacing materials and environment may result in loss of material from the surface. The process leading to loss of material is known as "wear". Major types of wear include abrasion, friction (adhesion and cohesion), erosion, and corrosion. Wear can be minimized by modifying the surface properties of solids by one or more "surface engineering" processes (also called surface finishing) or by use of lubricants (for frictional or adhesive wear).
Estimated direct and consequential annual loss to industries in the
- Point like contact theory was established by
Heinrich Hertz in 1880s.
- Fluid lubrication dynamics was established by
Arnold Johannes Sommerfeld in 1900s.
- Terotechnology, where multidisciplinary
engineering and management techniques are used to protect equipment and
machinery from degradation (Peter Jost, 1972)
- Horst Czichos's systems approach, where
appropriate material is selected by checking properties against
tribological requirements under operating environment (H. Czichos,1978)
- Asset Management by Material Prognosis - a
concept similar to terotechnology which has been introduced by the US
Military (DARPA) for upkeep of equipment in good health and start-ready
condition for 24 hours. Good health monitoring systems combined with
appropriate remedies at maintenance and repair stages have led to improved
performance, reliability and extended life cycle of the assets, such as
advanced military hardware and civil aircraft.
In recent years, micro- and nanotribology have been gaining ground. Frictional interactions in microscopically small components are becoming increasingly important for the development of new products in electronics, life sciences, chemistry, sensors and by extension for all modern technology.
Applications
The study of tribology is commonly applied in bearing design but extends into almost all other aspects of modern technology, even to such unlikely areas as hair conditioners and cosmetics such as lipstick, powders and lip gloss.
Any product where one material slides or rubs over another is affected by complex tribological interactions, whether lubricated like hip implants and other artificial prostheses, or unlubricated as in high temperature sliding wear in which conventional lubricants cannot be used but in which the formation of compacted oxide layer glazes have been observed to protect against wear.
Tribology plays an important role in manufacturing. In metal-forming operations, friction increases tool wear and the power required to work a piece. This results in increased costs due to more frequent tool replacement, loss of tolerance as tool dimensions shift, and greater forces required to shape a piece. The use of lubricants which minimize direct surface contact reduces tool wear and power requirements.
New Areas of Tribology
Since the 1990s, new areas of tribology have emerged, including the nanotribology, biotribology, and green tribology. These interdisciplinary areas study the friction, wear and lubrication at the nanoscale (including the Atomic force microscopy and micro/nanoelectromechanical systems, MEMS/NEMS), in biomedical applications (e.g., human joint prosthetics, dental materials), and ecological aspects of friction, lubrication and wear (tribology of clean energy sources, green lubricants, biomimetic tribology).
Recently, intensive studies of superlubricity (phenomenon of vanishing friction) have sparked due to high demand in energy savings. Development of new materials, such as graphene, initiated development of fundamentally new approaches in the lubrication field. Moreover, the industrial process such as heat treatment also change the wear rate.
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Afterword by the Blog Author
Tribology is also involved in the
development of lubricant-free ceramic engines. See:
and ceramic
coated piston rings at:
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