Tribologiaa

Tribologiaa, or tribology in many languages, is the branch of science and engineering that studies friction, wear and lubrication of interacting surfaces in relative motion. It encompasses aspects of mechanical engineering, materials science, surface science, chemistry and physics to understand how surfaces come into contact, move against each other and separate, and how to minimize energy losses and material damage.

Key topics include friction, wear and lubrication, as well as surface engineering and contact mechanics. Friction is the resistive force that opposes motion and depends on load, speed, surface roughness, texture and the presence of lubricants. Wear is the progressive loss of material due to sliding and may arise from adhesion, abrasion, fatigue, corrosion or third-body particles. Lubrication reduces friction and wear by forming a film between surfaces; regimes range from boundary and mixed to hydrodynamic and elastohydrodynamic.

Tribology also investigates tribochemistry, surface treatments and materials behavior under sliding. Experimental methods employ tribometers (for example pin-on-disk or ball-on-flat setups) and various metrology techniques, while analytical and numerical models include Archard's wear law, Hertzian contact theory and the Stribeck curve that relates friction to lubrication regime.

Applications and impact: Tribology is essential in engines, bearings, gears, braking systems, cutting tools, and biomedical implants, as well as broader manufacturing and energy systems. Effective tribology design improves efficiency, reliability and service life, while reducing maintenance and energy consumption. The field continues to develop through interdisciplinary research and standardized testing.