Friction, wear and lubrication

The latest publications in this offer are:

• December 10, 2025

  TRI1450

  Wear debris

  Regardless of the type of contact between two mechanical parts, friction and induced wear may generate debris. This debris can be an excellent means in order to investigate and explain wear mechanisms. The concepts of third body, tribological circuit, as well as various parameters and methods for the characterization of the morphology of wear particles are listed . A typical example is provided concerning wear debris which is often held responsible for the failure to implant prosthetic devices.

• March 6, 2025

  B5321 Review

  Hydrodynamic thrust bearings

• March 6, 2025

  B5325 Review

  Hydrostatic journal and thrust bearings

• March 6, 2025

  B5320 Review

  Hydrodynamic journal and thrust bearings

• February 10, 2025

  TRI4550 Review

  Tribology of ceramics

  Modern ceramics, known as “fine” ceramics, are characterized by their distinct refractory character and significant hardness. Their mediocre tenacity explains their sensitivity to the presence of defects, as well as their reputation for low resistance and breakage. Ceramics for protection against wear are in a competitive relationship with hard metals (tungsten carbide (WC)). Among all of the interesting characteristics of ceramics, their combinations in mechanical, thermomechanical and tribological properties are favorable for mechanical applications. In today´s understanding, ceramics are no critical raw materials and quite stable in prices. This article mainly focusses on their tribological behavior.

• December 10, 2024

  TRI1800

  Regulations, base oil families, eco-properties and applications

  Regulations at international level define biolubricants or environmentally acceptable lubricants (EAL) and one sees there a convergence in terms for the key eco-toxicological criteria. These laws and decrees have allowed for the reduction of environmental risks and the protection of natural resources as well as improved the quality of waters. However, although certain "environmentally neutral" lubricants are available, they have only acquired a small market share. This article compares the different regulations for EALs with their historical evolution, analyses the properties of biolubricants as well as their various applications.

• March 10, 2024

  BM7006

  Application of tribological material data

  A tribological system (tribosystem) can be conceived through an analysis of the tribosystem operating conditions. The kv wear rate is a major prescription tribologic data relative to the wear resistance of a particular material. The p x v [MPa × m/s] value describes a limit between mild and severe wear and can be thus equated to the limit of material use above which materials undergo a change in their wear mechanism which can even lead to seizure. This article presents these characteristics step by step through the use of several examples and classifies the materials wear rate and p x v valuebrackets. The article also highlights the impact of operational parameters (surface roughness, relative humidity, etc.) on friction and wear rates.

• March 10, 2024

  TRI1540

  Elastohydrodynamic lubrication

  The theory of ElastoHydrodynamic Lubrication (EHL) allows the computation of the lubricant film thickness in hertzian contacts (i.e. in rolling bearings, gears and cam devices). The film thickness is a mandatory input for the prediction of the life duration of the mechanisms. The elaboration of the EHL theory is presented in this article in a gradual and chronological way : early theories of Martin and Ertel-Grubin, linear contact, punctual contact, extension to the different regimes (rigid isoviscous, rigid piezoviscous, elastic isoviscous and elastic piezoviscous), corrective factors.

• November 23, 2023

  TRI1420 Review

  Main friction-induced vibration scenarios

  Friction induced vibration is one of the most complicate manifestation of mechanical contact due to the diversity of causes and manifestations. This article aims to present three of the main causes of friction vibration: the stick-slip, the sprag-slip and the mode coupling. Each of these three mechanisms has been reviewed, insisting on the nature of the vibration that results, and proposing a minimalist mechanical model that allows, using minimal calculation, to highlight the main causes of the phenomenon, and to propose solutions that will be significantly different from a mechanism to the other.

• August 10, 2023

  BM5068

  Wear on mechanical contacts

  To solve friction and wear problems in mechanical contacts, the available informations often allows only several possible options rather than a single solution. Tribology experimentation is therefore important for the final selection of solutions. The paper presents a set of design rules for mechanical construction, covering areas such as geometry, topography, lubrication and materials.

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