Tribology
Graduate · Engineering
Syllabus focus
Topics typically covered
Standard syllabus
Contact mechanics and friction
- Surface topography and roughness parameters
- Hertzian contact of elastic bodies
- Adhesion and cohesion in contacts
- Amontons-Coulomb friction laws and limitations
- Stick-slip and friction-induced vibrations
- Boundary lubrication and surface films
- Mixed and hydrodynamic lubrication regimes
- Stribeck curve interpretation
- Reynolds equation for fluid film lubrication
- Elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) intro
Wear mechanisms and measurement
- Adhesive, abrasive, and fatigue wear modes
- Archard wear equation and wear coefficients
- Corrosive and erosive wear interactions
- Scuffing and seizure in gears and bearings
- Tribometers and standardized wear tests
- Surface hardness and its role in wear resistance
- Coatings: PVD, CVD, and thermal spray overview
- Solid lubricants: MoS₂, graphite, PTFE
- Nanotribology and AFM measurements
- Forensic wear analysis of failed components
STEM / applied
Bearing, seal, and component design
- Rolling element bearing selection and life calculation
- Journal and thrust bearing design
- Mechanical seal types and leakage control
- Piston ring and cylinder bore tribology in engines
- Gear tooth contact and lubrication
- Hip and knee implant tribology in biomedical devices
- Hard disk drive head-disk interface
- Electric vehicle drivetrain friction losses
- Condition monitoring via vibration and oil analysis
- Design project: bearing system for a machine
Research and sustainability
- Environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs)
- Tribology in additive manufacturing surfaces
- Biotribology: cartilage and synovial fluid
- Space tribology and vacuum effects
- Machine learning for friction model calibration
- Industry standards: ASTM G99 and related tests
- Guest lectures from lubricant and bearing suppliers
- Patent landscape in low-friction coatings
- Thesis topics in tribology research groups
- Qualifying exam tribology preparation
Study units
Each unit includes a study guide, worksheets, review, practice test, and answer key. One unit is free; subscribe for the full class.
- Contact mechanics and friction
Surface topography and roughness parameters
Coming soon - Wear mechanisms and measurement
Adhesive, abrasive, and fatigue wear modes
Coming soon - Bearing, seal, and component design
Rolling element bearing selection and life calculation
Coming soon - Research and sustainability
Environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs)
Coming soon
Notes
Topics reflect common engineering syllabi at US colleges and universities. Exact order, depth, and applied emphasis vary by institution, department, and instructor.