Tribometry

Tribometry is the measurement and analysis of the tribological properties of material pairs in contact, focusing on friction, wear, and lubrication under controlled conditions. It is a core activity within tribology, employing specialized instruments called tribometers to quantify how surfaces interact under sliding or rolling contact. Tests are conducted under specified normal load, sliding speed, temperature, humidity, and environmental conditions, enabling comparison across materials, lubricants, and surface treatments.

Common configurations include pin-on-disk, ball-on-flat, reciprocating sliding, four-ball testers, and ring-on-disk setups. Some experiments are micro- or nano-scale, using atomic force microscopes or nanoindenters. A tribometer records friction and normal force to compute the coefficient of friction (μ). Wear is assessed by material loss and expressed as wear rate k = V/(F L), where F is the normal load and L the sliding distance. Tests report peak or steady-state μ, wear tracks, surface roughening, and lubricant-film behavior; analyses may include microscopy and profilometry. Tribometry covers boundary, mixed, and hydrodynamic lubrication regimes and can study temperature effects and lubricant chemistry.

Applications of tribometry include material selection, coating evaluation, lubricant development, and reliability testing in automotive, industrial, and aerospace industries. Data inform performance predictions and life-cycle analysis. Results depend on test configuration and conditions, so standards exist to promote comparability; ISO and ASTM standards provide methods for specific tribometer setups and wear tests.