Tribology

Tribology comprises the fields of friction, wear and lubrication. It aims at the functional, economical
and ecological optimization of motion systems.
Tribology is the science and technology of surfaces interacting in a relative motion. It comprises the
entire field of friction and wear including lubrication. It includes corresponding interfacial
interactions between solids as well as between solids and liquids, consistent materials or gases.
Tribology encompasses the study of:
Friction
Wear
Lubrication
Friction is the force resisting the relative motion of solid surfaces, fluid layers, and material
elements sliding against each other. When surfaces in contact move relative to each other, the
friction between the two surfaces converts kinetic energy into heat.
The Concept of Friction
a) Friction between a solid and a gas
When a disk is started spinning at high speed in air, it will run for long time before coming to rest,
the retardation being due to friction at the bearings and to air drag on the moving surface of the
disk.
b) Friction between a solid and a liquid
Friction between a solid and a liquid in a relative motion maybe demonstrated by lowering the disk
used above into a bowl of water. If the disk is started spinning in the water, it will stop in a shorter
time then in air because of much higher viscosity of water. Frictional resistance is much greater in
liquids than in gases and energy is dissipated at a much more rapid rate, the more viscous the liquid,
the greater the resistance to motion of a body through it.
c) Friction between two solid bodies
In the case of two solid bodies in contact, the term “contact” must first be qualified to define
properly the frictional relationship. If, for instance, one coin is laid on another, there is no actual
metal to metal contact. To permit metal to metal contact, the surface must be thoroughly cleaned.
TYPES OF FRICTION
Static Friction
Static friction is defined as the frictional force that acts between the surfaces when they are at
rest with respect to each other.
The magnitude of the static force is equal in the opposite direction when a small amount of force is
applied. When the force increases, at some point maximum static friction is reached.
Following are the examples of static friction:
 Skiing against the snow
 Creating heat by rubbing both the hands together
  Table lamp resting on the table

Sliding Friction
Sliding friction is defined as the resistance that is created between any two objects when they are
sliding against each other.
Following are the examples of sliding friction:
 Sliding of the block across the floor
 Two cards sliding against each other in a deck
Rolling Friction
Rolling friction is defined as the force which resists the motion of a ball or wheel and is the
weakest types of friction.
Following are the examples of rolling friction:
 Rolling of the log on the ground
 Wheels of the moving vehicles
Fluid Friction
Fluid friction is defined as the friction that exists between the layers of the fluid when they are
moving relative to each other.
Following are the examples of fluid friction:

 The flow of ink in pens

 Swimming

There are five laws of friction and they are:

 The friction of the moving object is proportional and perpendicular to the normal force.
 The friction experienced by the object is dependent on the nature of the surface it is in
contact with.
 Friction is independent of the area of contact as long as there is an area of contact.
 Kinetic friction is independent of velocity.
 The coefficient of static friction is greater than the coefficient of kinetic friction.
Applications of friction
Friction helps us to walk
We can write on paper or on boards using a pencil or chalk
The friction between the meteor and the atmosphere heats it up and makes it burn and shrink in
size due to air resistance
We can fix a nail to the wall
Brakes in vehicles are built on the concept of friction
Pulleys for drawing water from wells work with the help of friction.
A ladder against a wall
Friction is used for making fire by rubbing wood on wood or stone on stone.