What Is Tribology?

what is tribology

The term“Tribology” is derived from a Greek work “Tribos” which originally means“rubbing”. So the simplest way to explain What Is Tribology is that “Tibology”is the analysis of the rubbing surfaces, i.e. the friction, wear and lubrication analysis. It is a complete science it self, which deals with the detailed study and analysis of four major factors involved for the prevention from wear and tear of the sliding surfaces:

• Corrosion: destruction or degradation of material by electrochemical or chemical reactions between the surface and environment.


• Abrasion : It is a mechanical process, in which the sliding surfaces start scratching or scuffing away.


• Adhesion: It is the attraction between dissimilar particles or the surfaces


• Erosion: Layer by layer degradation or destruction of material surface.

It not only helps in minimizing the wear and tear of the surfaces, but also helps in extending the working life of the equipments. Although tribology is more about mechanical engineering, then chemical engineering; but the processes under tribology tree are more concerned with the chemical engineering. Out of them, Lubrication is the most important.

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Lubrication is probably the vital science, used in the field of Tribology. Lubrication works by making the surfaces in contact more slippery and greasy to eliminate several factors like overheating, friction, or tearing. There are several different types of Lubricants, which are used for different surfaces; most important of them are Petroleum lubricants, Synthetic Oils, Greases, Solid film lubricants and Metal films.

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The application sectors of the tribology are unlimited, from a little lip gloss to the very large machinery or equipment, every single substance, which has to slide on any other substance, is designed by keeping the rules of tribology in mind. With the help of tribology, the friction losses, and other heat losses are minimized, and so is the operational cost of the process.

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