1. Tribology
The study of friction, wear, and lubrication is of enormous practical importance, because the
functioning of many mechanical, electro-mechanical, and biological systems depends on the
appropriate friction and wear values. In recent decades, this field, termed tribology, has received
increasing attention as it has become evident that the wastage of resources resulting from high
friction and wear is greater than 6% of the Gross National Product. The potential savings offered
by improved tribological knowledge are immense.
Tribology, focusing on such fundamental concepts as surface energy, elastic and
elastoplastic deformation, micro-fracture, and surface interactions at the micro- and nano-scale.
Special consideration is given to the application of fundamental knowledge to control friction and
wear behavior through lubrication and the selection of materials and coatings in practical
situations. Furthermore, modern experimental methods are discussed and several case studies are
used to illustrate how fundamental tribology knowledge can be applied in the design of
tribological components and systems.
Understanding Basic Concepts & Terminology
 Describing surface topography, physico-chemical aspects of solid surfaces, and surface
interactions.
 Analyzing the mechanics of solid elastic and elastoplastic contacts.
 Recognizing the laws of friction, mechanisms of friction, friction space, stiction, stick slip,
and surface temperature.
 Appreciating the various modes of wear: adhesive, delamination, fretting, abrasive, erosive,
corrosive, oxidational (mild and severe), melt, and the wear-mechanism maps.
 Identifying types of lubrication: boundary, solid-film, hydrodynamic, and hydrostatic
lubrication.
 Examining applications/case studies: sliding contacts, rolling contacts, bearing design,
coating selection, and lubrication.
 Exploring the design of tribological surfaces and how to troubleshoot tribology problems.
 Surveying tribological testing devices and testing design.
 Recognizing the seminal role that tribology plays in the satisfactory functioning of
mechanical, electrical, electromechanical, and biological systems.
 Appreciating of the importance of tribology in minimizing energy consumption, extending
product life, and protecting the environment.
 Understanding the laws, mechanisms, and models of friction, wear, and lubrication —
spanning nano, micro, meso, and macroscales.
 Appreciating that tribological properties are the properties of the system as a whole, not just
of the individual.
 Understanding the methodologies of design and troubleshooting tribological systems.
 Understanding the protocols and procedures of accelerated and long-term tribological testing.

2. Some Topic for Case Study for Reference
1) Surface Topography,
2) 2)Physico-Chemical Aspects of Solid Surfaces,
3) 3)Surface Interactions
Available Research Area
 Mechanics of solid contacts
Elastic Contacts, Elastoplastic Contacts, Fracture
 Friction
Laws of Friction, Mechanisms of Friction, Friction Space, Stiction, Stick Slip, Surface
Temperature
 Wear
Adhesive Wear, Delamination Wear, Fretting Wear, Abrasive Wear, Erosive Wear,
Corrosive Wear, Mild and Severe Oxidational Wear, Melt Wear, Wear-Mechanism Maps
 Lubrication
Boundary Lubrication, Solid-Film Lubrication, Mixed Lubrication, Hydrodynamic
Lubrication, Hydrostatic Lubrication
 Nanoscale tribology
Interatomic Interactions, Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Challenges of Tribological
Testing at Small Scales
 Tribological testing
Common Geometries, Instrumentation and Methods Used for Testing, Influences of Test
Parameters
 Applications/Case Studies
Sliding Contacts, Rolling Contacts, Bearing Design, Coating Selection. Optional topics
include: Electric Contacts, Micro electro-mechanical Systems (MEMS), Design of
Tribological Surfaces, and Troubleshooting.