Dilla University

Department of Mechanical Engineering

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION TO TRIBOLOGY

By: Eneyw G.
 Contents
 Definition of Tribology

History of Tribology

Importance of Tribology

Research in Tribology

Tribological Components and Applications

2
 Learning Objectives

Upon completing this chapter, you should be able to:

1. Define tribology.

2. Understand the history and importance of tribology.

3. Identify the tribological components /machine elements/ and

their applications in machine design and operation.

3
 Definition of tribology

Tribology: is derived from the Greek word ‘tribos’ meaning rubbing or sliding.

 It is the study of rubbing or sliding.

 Tribology focuses on friction, wear and lubrication of interacting surfaces in

relative motion.

 Tribology is an applied art and as such should be based upon, or requires

background knowledge in, in many topics.
In mechanical engineering (the seat of most design instruction):
• Fluid mechanics,
• Elasticity, 4
• Material science,
• Dynamics,
• Heat transfer, Methods of mechanical design etc…
But the complete tribologist will have added some knowledge;
Plasticity
Contact mechanics
Surface Chemistry, (oxidation, adhesion, adsorption),
Lubricant Chemistry and the like.
Tribology is also defined as the science and technology of interacting
surfaces in relative motion and of related subjects and practices.

5
 History of tribology

a) During the Paleolithic period (hunters and gatherers):

 Drills were fitted with bearings made from antlers or bones

 Potter’s wheels of stones for grinding cereals, etc., clearly had a

requirement for some form of bearings.

 A ball thrust bearing about AD40 was found in Lake Nimi near Rome.

b) Records show the use of wheels from 3500BC (illustrates concern with
reducing friction in translationary motion)
6
 Cont.…
c)The transportation of large stone building blocks and monuments
required the know-how of frictional devices and lubricants, such as
water-lubricated sleds.

Fig. 1 Use of a sledge to transport a heavy statue by Egyptians circa 1880BC

7
 Cont.…
d) Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), deduced the rules governing the
motion of a rectangular block sliding over a flat surface.

The areas in contact have no effect on friction.

If the load of an object is doubled, its friction will also be doubled.

e) In 1699, the French physicist Guillaume Amontons rediscovered

the rules of friction after he studied dry sliding between two flat
surfaces.
8
 Cont. …

Fig. 2 Laws of friction by Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519)

9
 Cont. …
f) During 1500, many developments occurred in the use of improved bearing
materials.

 Essential laws of viscous flow were postulated by Sir Isaac Newton in 1668

g) The principle of hydrodynamic lubrication was made by the experimental

studies and the theoretical interpretations of Reynolds.

 Hydrodynamic bearing theory and practice were extremely rapid in meeting the
demand for reliable bearings in new machinery.

10
h) Wear

 much more younger subject than friction and bearing development, and it was
initiated on a largely empirical basis.
 Scientific studies of wear developed little until the mid-twentieth century.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, knowledge in all areas of tribology has
expanded.

 Enormous industrial growth leading to demand for better tribology,

11
 Importance of tribology
Tribology is crucial to modern machinery which uses sliding and rolling
surfaces. Examples of productive friction are:
 brakes, clutch,

 driving wheels on trains and automobiles,

 bolts and nuts and the like

Tribology is not only important in industry, it also affects day-to-day life.
 writing is a tribological process,
 shaving cream is used as a lubricant to minimize friction between a razor and the
skin,
 friction is helpful during walking and driving, 12
 Cont. …
The consequence of (unproductive) friction and wear:

1) Friction and wear usually cost money

 In the form of energy loss and material loss as well as the social system
using the mechanical device.
2) Friction and wear can decrease national productivity

 Less desirable products (wear faster and require maintenance)

 Worn machine tool (require skilled machinist and affect products)

13
 Cont.…
3) Friction and wear can affect national security
 Decreased efficiency of military hardware (wear of aircraft engines and barrels of large

guns) decreases the ability to perform a military mission.

4) Friction and wear can affect quality of life

 Tooth fillings, artificial teeth, artificial skeletal joints improve the quality of life.

 Worn cars and worn tires require lower driving speeds on wet roads.

5) Wear causes accidents

 Traffic accidents are sometimes caused by worn brakes or other worn parts.

14
 Research in tribology
The purpose of research in tribology is:
 The minimization and elimination of losses (resulting from friction and wear at all levels
of technology where the rubbing of surfaces is involved).
 Leads to greater plant efficiency, better performance, fewer breakdowns, and significant
savings.
Available literature in tribology:
1. Journals and Periodicals
 Wear,
Journal of Tribology (formerly the Journal of Lubrication Technology),
Tribology Transactions of the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers(STLE)
15
 Cont.…
2. Books :

 About 5 new books appear each year in the field,

some books contain the following words in the title tribology,
contact mechanics, lubricant chemistry etc.
3. Conferences on friction, lubrication and wear

 USA,

 Europe,
 Japan and the like
16
 Tribological components and applications
Common tribological components:
 sliding-contact and rolling contact bearings
 piston rings
 gears
 cams and tappets
 electrical brushes
 seals
 cutting and forming tools
Some of the common industrial applications:
internal combustion engines (automotive applications)
gas turbine engines (aerospace applications)
material processing
Railroads
magnetic storage.
17
a) Bearings
 Machine element that support a moving shaft against a stationary housing.
 In general, bearings as either sliding-contact (plain bearings or bushings) or
rolling-contact bearings (antifriction bearings or journal bearings).

a) Sliding bearings b) Anti-friction bearings

18
b) Piston rings
An open-ended ring that fits into a groove on the outer diameter of a piston in a
reciprocating engine (IC engine).

Fig.4 Piston rings

19
C) Gears
Gears used for transmission of rotary motion from one shaft to another shaft
and change in rotational speed.
There are different type of gear including spur, helical, bevel and worm gears.

spur helical bevel worm gears

20
d) Cams and tappets
The most common applications for cams is valve actuation in an internal
combustion engine.

Fig. 6 Cams and tappets in vale gear mechanism

21
 Thank
you…!!!

22