Wear on mechanical contacts - Elements of tribology

A considerable number of parameters govern the behavior of friction surfaces. Most of these parameters can interact strongly, and their influence is governed by non-linear laws, so that no general theory is able to take into account and describe the extreme diversity of possible situations. This article presents a number of indicators that can be used to situate the role or importance of some of the main variables with regard to tribological behavior: friction properties, wear resistance, genesis and evolution of the main phenomena.

This article is part of a series of four dedicated to mechanical contact wear. Readers may also wish to consult the following articles:

• Wear on mechanical contacts. Issues and definitions [BM 5 065] ;

• Wear on mechanical contacts. Wear and tear [BM 5 067] ;

• Mechanical contact wear. Control wear and friction [BM 5 068] .

The notations and abbreviations used are presented in the article [BM 5 065] .