3. Conclusion

Controlling wear and friction at mechanical interfaces poses a complex, multidisciplinary design problem, as does tribology in general. By analyzing these interfaces as a tribological system, it is possible to identify one or more overriding factors, and to implement the appropriate palliative solutions presented in this article. The multiplicity of influencing factors can lead to contradictory solutions. The search for compromise during the design phase, ideally supported by experimental confirmation, is then the basis for choosing a robust tribological interface.

One design impasse can be overcome by the use of surface treatments or coatings that can radically modify local surface properties while maintaining the material's core performance. While the basic design rules for tribological interfaces are now well known, and backed up by industrial know-how, the performance...