Tribology
Tribology is a field that specifically investigates friction and wear that can occur on contact surfaces of materials. The concept of tribology is derived from the Greek verbs “tribo” and “logos”, which means “the doctrine of friction”.
Tribology is concerned with wear, friction and lubrication. Strictly speaking, it is the doctrine of the interaction between different surfaces. The unfamiliarity of the name does not do justice to the impact that tribology has on industrial processes and the economy. Simply put, friction causes machine parts to wear out, which ultimately leads to damage, malfunctions and failure. It is estimated that in the US economy alone, 1 to 2 percent of GDP is lost every year to wear and tear on machinery and other equipment.
Since the Jost Report presented by Peter Jost in 1966, research has been conducted all over the world into various tribological aspects. This not only to reduce friction in a machine, but also to extend the life of the machine. The application of tribological principles leads to greater operational reliability, efficiency and productivity, but also to preserve materials and energy.
