Tribology in Industry
Introduction Tribology is often introduced as the science of friction, wear, and lubrication. In industry, however, its role extends far beyond measuring a coefficient of friction or selecting a lubricant. Tribology connects materials, surfaces, lubrication, operating conditions, testing, and component performance to solve real engineering problems. This was the central message of TriboNet’s recent webinar, […]
Going Beyond Lubricant Failure Modes to Identify the Real Root Causes
Introduction When people think about lubricants, the first function that usually comes to mind is reducing friction between moving surfaces. While this is certainly one of their most important roles, modern lubricants perform many other critical functions that are essential for maintaining machine reliability and efficiency. During the webinar, Sanya Mathura explained that lubricants not […]
TriboAI: Making Language Models Read Friction Curves
Introduction Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly valuable tool across engineering disciplines, and tribology is no exception. As researchers generate larger and more complex datasets from friction and wear experiments, interpreting these results consistently and efficiently has become a growing challenge. During the TriboNet webinar, “TriboAI: Making Language Models Read Friction Curves,” speakers Iñigo […]
2D MXenes: Tunable Mechanical and Tribological Properties
Introduction MXenes have rapidly emerged as one of the most exciting classes of advanced materials in tribology, offering a unique combination of tunable chemistry, excellent mechanical properties, and remarkable friction and wear performance. In a recent TriboNet webinar, Professor Andreas Rosenkranz from the University of Chile provided a comprehensive overview of these two-dimensional materials and […]
A Predictive Framework for Friction and Wear of DLC Coatings Using Literature Data
Webinar recording will be available soon
Friction in Flight: How Additive Manufacturing Powers Tribology for Space
Introduction As humanity prepares for a new era of lunar exploration, engineers and researchers are facing one of the harshest operating environments ever encountered in modern manufacturing. Extreme temperature fluctuations, abrasive lunar dust, high-vacuum conditions, and the absence of atmospheric protection create serious tribological challenges for machines and infrastructure operating on the Moon. During the […]
Tribology in Nuclear Energy
Introduction The latest webinar hosted by TriboNet provided an in-depth exploration of how tribology is shaping the future of advanced nuclear reactor technologies. As a discipline that studies friction, wear, and lubrication, tribology plays a fundamental role in determining how materials behave in extreme environments. For readers who want a solid foundation in the field, […]
Defining Optimal Base Oil Viscosity for Rolling Bearings: ISO 281 and the Kappa Factor in Practice
Introduction Selecting the optimal base oil viscosity for rolling bearings is one of the most critical decisions in tribology and machinery maintenance. Lubrication directly affects friction, wear, energy efficiency, and ultimately the lifespan of mechanical components. Choosing an inappropriate viscosity can result in excessive heat generation, increased energy consumption, or even premature bearing failure. In […]
What Controls the Friction on Soft Surfaces that have Periodic Structures?
Introduction Advancements in tribology increasingly depend on understanding how surface structures influence friction, especially in soft materials used in modern technologies such as wearable devices, tactile systems, and biomedical interfaces. In a recent webinar hosted by TriboNet, Alison presented collaborative research with Shelby Hutchins’ group, focusing on how periodic soft surfaces can be characterized and […]
MoS2 Dry Film Lubricants for Space Applications
Introduction The space industry is expanding rapidly, with satellite constellations, lunar missions, and deep-space exploration pushing tribological engineering into new frontiers. Reliable lubrication for moving mechanisms in spacecraft — from solar array drives to reaction wheels — is no longer optional: it’s mission-critical. Recently, TriboNet hosted a detailed webinar by Professor Ashley Martini on the […]
