tribokemiska

Tribokemiska refers to chemical reactions that are initiated or significantly influenced by mechanical action, such as friction, grinding, or fracture. This phenomenon bridges the fields of tribology, which studies friction, wear, and lubrication, and chemistry. When materials are subjected to mechanical stress, localized high temperatures and pressures can be generated at the interface. These conditions can overcome activation energy barriers, leading to chemical transformations that might not occur under ambient conditions.

Examples of tribochemical reactions include the formation of oxides on metal surfaces during wear, the degradation of lubricants under high stress, or the synthesis of new compounds through mechanochemical activation. These reactions can have both desirable and undesirable consequences. In some applications, such as tribopolymerization, tribochemistry is harnessed to create new materials or coatings. Conversely, in many mechanical systems, unwanted tribochemical reactions can lead to increased wear, corrosion, or material failure. Understanding and controlling tribochemical processes is therefore crucial for designing durable materials and efficient mechanical systems. Research in this area often involves analyzing the chemical products formed at stressed interfaces and elucidating the reaction mechanisms involved.