ABSTRACT

Tribological processes are involved whenever one solid slides or rolls against another, as in bearings, cams, gears, piston rings and cylinders, machining and metalworking, grinding, rock drilling, sliding electrical contacts, frictional welding, brakes, the striking of a match, music from a cello, articulation of human synovial joints (e.g., hip joints), machinery, and in numerous less obvious processes (e.g., walking, holding, stopping, writing, and the use of fasteners such as nails, screws, and bolts).