Tribology

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Tribology is the science and technology of friction, lubrication, and wear, derived from the Greek tribo meaning “I rub”. Formally defined, it is the science and technology of interacting surfaces in relative motion and all practices related thereto. The study of tribology is commonly applied in bearing design but extends into other almost any aspect of modern technology, even to such unlikely areas as hair conditioners and cosmetics (e.g., lipstick, powders, gloss). Basically any product where one materials slides or rubs over another is affected by complex tribological interactions.

The term became widely used following a British study in 1966 (The Jost Report) in which huge sums of money were reported to have been lost in the UK annually due to the consequences of friction, wear and corrosion. Several national centres for tribology were created in the UK as a result. Since then the term has diffused into the international engineering field and many specialists now claim to be tribologists. There are numerous national and international societies, such as the Society for Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers [STLE] in the USA. Most technical universities have a group working on tribology, often as part of mechanical engineering departments. The limitations in tribological interactions are however no longer mainly determined by mechanical designs, but rather by material limitations so the discipline of tribology now counts at least as many materials engineers, physicists and chemists than mechanical engineers.

In the last years, the micro- and nanotribology is 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.

Note the term 'fricare' (Latin) meaning 'to rub' from which derives the word 'friction.'

See also

• Tribotester
• Tribometer
• ESDU Engineering Methods
• STLE Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers

External links

• [Tribology Research Group at Sheffield University (UK)]
• [South African institute of Tribology (SAIT)]
• [Tribology topic guides from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)]
• [Tribology NL: a comprehensive overview of tribology from a mechanical engineers point of view]
• [Tribology: Friction, Wear, and Lubrication Short Course at MIT]
• [Tribology consulting and equipment]
• [ESDU Tribology Methods]
• [NLGI India]

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