Tribology - Friction, Wear, and Lubrication

Overview

What you will learn

The outcomes of the Tribology - Friction, Wear, and Lubrication course offered by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are:

• 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