Tribology

The word tribology was coined only just over twenty years ago and appears in only the most up to date of dictionaries; however, the topics with which tribologists are concerned have been of vital interest to scientists, engineers, and those who design or operate machinery, for as long as mechanical devices have existed. Formally, tribology is defined as the science and technology of interacting surfaces in relative motion and of related subjects and practices; it deals with every aspect of friction, lubrication, and wear. The word is derived from the Greek τριβοσ (TRIBOS) meaning rubbing, although the subject embraces a great deal more than just the study of rubbing surfaces.

Perhaps as much as one third of our global energy consumption is consumed wastefully in friction: at a time when energy resources are at a premium the contribution that can be made to their efficient utilization, as well as to the reduction of pollution, by making use of the best tribological practices is obvious. In addition to this primary saving of energy there are very significant additional economies to be made by reductions in the cost involved in the manufacture and replacement of prematurely worn components. An important landmark in the development of the subject was the publication in 1966 in Great Britain of the report of the government committee, chaired by Mr Peter Jost, which had been formed to report on the position of industrial lubrication in the United Kingdom: it was asked specifically to identify those areas of industrial practice where significant improvements could be made.