Tribology reducing fuel consumption
Dr Zak Abdullah explains how reduction of frictional losses can reduce carbon emissions for industrial decarbonisation.
Tribology is the science of wear, friction and lubrication. It describes how two surfaces interact with each other. Due to friction between any two surfaces, energy can be lost in overcoming the frictional stresses. This is considered a waste of energy and money. This leads to more fuel consumption and hence, more carbon emissions.
Tribology testing
Tribology testing can be carried out in dry conditions as well as wet conditions. The dry conditions can be carried out in air at room temperature to simulate activities such as railway applications or at high temperatures such as in hot rolling operations. The wet conditions can involve lubrications as well as humid environments.
There is ongoing research with regards to developing sub-zero tribology testing in addition to severely corrosive environments. This can provide an overall assessment of the newly developed systems to the steel and metals industry and facilitate the development of novel materials and coating systems.
The study of tribology can help reduce the total worldwide carbon emissions by decreasing friction, extending the life of components and reducing wear. Industry can use tribology to focus on reducing carbon emissions and friction reduction and on sustainability and wear protection.
Steel and metals innovation
Generally, tribology due to friction might be beneficial during the rolling operations of steel strips in the rolling mill or catastrophic as friction might lead to surface fatigue and cracking and hence, materials failure.
Tribology can benefit the steel and metals industry through the development of new alloy systems and coating technologies. It is desirable to develop new alloy systems that will survive the severe environments in service under frictional and wear loading conditions.
Tribology testing can be employed to address and detect any downfalls in the newly developed materials. In addition, tribology is vital to evaluate the new coating and lubricating technologies by reproducing the service conditions on a lab-scale.
Practical solutions for industry
Tribology can help the automotive industry where friction is a major element. The movement and rotation of components in vehicles is translated to wear and friction which requires attention. The railway industry involves rotating wheels against a railway track where friction is a determining component during service. The study of wheels and railway track materials is essential to ensure safety at all times.
Gas turbine aero engines industry can benefit from tribology evaluation as well. This becomes evident when evaluating the abradable materials used at the front section of the aero engine against the rotating fan blades. The performance of such abradable materials is crucial to maintain the safety of a gas turbine aero engine.
If mechanical losses or friction in the powertrain of automotive could be reduced by improved tribology, this could reduce global fuel consumption.
Tribology expertise
We’re drawing on our wide expertise in mechanical testing and materials characterisation in developing the tribology testing at SaMI.
We have academics as well as an operational team who are boosting our current capability to include testing in corrosive environments, sub-zero conditions and high temperature atmosphere. This can be employed to address several needs for the various industries.
If you’re interested in SaMI’s tribology expertise, please contact us to see how we can help.
Contributor Dr Zak Abdullah
April 2022
