tribologii

Tribology (tribologie in Romanian) is the science and engineering of interacting surfaces in relative motion. It covers friction, wear, lubrication, and related phenomena such as heat generation, noise, and energy losses. The aim is to understand and predict how materials and lubricants perform under contact conditions across scales from nanometers to meters.

Key concepts include the tribosystem, contact mechanics, friction coefficient, wear rate, and lubrication regimes (boundary, mixed, hydrodynamic, and elastohydrodynamic). The Stribeck curve describes how friction changes with lubrication regime and sliding speed. Materials science, surface engineering, and tribochemical reactions influence performance, including coatings and solid lubricants that form protective tribofilms.

Testing and modeling: Experimental setups such as pin-on-disk, linear wear testers, and reciprocating rigs measure friction and wear. Data are used with models from contact mechanics, tribochemistry, and multiscale simulations to predict life and energy consumption. Standards and laboratories adopt ISO and ASTM methods.

Applications: automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, energy, and biomedical implants. Design considerations include selecting base materials, finishing, coating strategies, and lubrication methods to reduce energy losses and extend service life. Environmental and economic impacts drive advances in low-friction materials and eco-friendly lubricants.

History: The field matured in the 20th century with developments in lubrication theory and surface analysis; the term tribology became common in engineering literature. Education and research continue to integrate physics, chemistry, materials science, and mechanical engineering.