This page provides an overview of tribology and lubrication fundamentals as they apply to industrial and automotive equipment. Tribology is the study of friction, wear, and surface interaction in relative motion, and forms the technical basis for lubricant selection and system design.
The concepts outlined here are presented to support the interpretation of technical documentation, specifications, and operating requirements. They are not intended to replace original equipment manufacturer guidance or application-specific validation.
Core tribology concepts
Friction
Resistance to motion between contacting surfaces, influenced by surface condition, load, speed, temperature, and lubricant properties.
Wear
Progressive material loss from a surface caused by mechanical interaction, chemical effects, or a combination of both.
Surface interaction
The physical and chemical behaviour of contacting surfaces, including roughness, material composition, and surface treatments.
Boundary lubrication
A lubrication regime where surface contact occurs and load is primarily supported by surface films and additives.
Mixed lubrication
A regime where load is shared between surface contact and a partial lubricant film.
Hydrodynamic lubrication
A regime where a full fluid film separates surfaces and load is supported by lubricant pressure generated by motion.
Elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL)
A lubrication regime occurring under high load where elastic deformation of surfaces and pressure-dependent viscosity effects influence film formation.
Lubrication regime
The operating condition describing how a lubricant separates and protects contacting surfaces under given load, speed, and temperature.
Film thickness
The thickness of the lubricant layer separating surfaces, influencing wear protection and friction behaviour.