Glossary of Tribology

This glossary contains the main scientific and technical terms and expressions used in the Tribology section. Tribology is the science of friction, lubrication and wear between solid parts in relative motion. These interactions between rubbing parts depend on the kinematics, geometry and microgeometry of the two solids, the mechanical loading, the environment and the rheological behavior of the materials present at the interface. This is a vast and complex field, involving mechanical, thermal, rheological (material science) and physico-chemical phenomena. The terms in the glossary describe the phenomena, concepts, test and analysis methods and tools used in tribology.

These terms and expressions, listed in alphabetical order, and their definitions have been :

• or adapted from articles in the Techniques de l'Ingénieur collection; the articles concerned are then referenced in square brackets after the definition;

• or extracted from official bodies or theorists ;

• or written by the Techniques de l'Ingénieur scientific and technical team.

Readers can deepen their knowledge of the field by referring to the references in the "For further information" section.