Experimental Modelling of Tribosystems

Dear Colleagues,

Tribology, the science of friction, wear, and lubrication, plays a crucial role in numerous industries, ranging from automotive and aerospace to manufacturing and biomedical engineering. Understanding and optimizing tribological behavior is essential for enhancing the efficiency, durability, and reliability of mechanical systems. Experimentation serves as the cornerstone of tribology research, providing invaluable insights into the complex interactions occurring at contact interfaces.

Despite the significance of experimental tribology, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Each application demands tailored testing methodologies to accurately simulate real-world operating conditions and address specific performance criteria. For instance, while conventional ball-on-disc tribometers are well suited for simulating highly loaded and lubricated contacts, they may not adequately represent scenarios involving low contact pressures or extreme environmental conditions, such as sub-zero and cryogenic conditions, gas atmospheres, and electrical currents.

The shift towards more intricate and application-specific testing methodologies reflects the evolving needs of the field. Researchers are increasingly exploring novel sample geometries, advanced instrumentation, and innovative testing protocols to mimic real-world tribological phenomena with greater fidelity. This evolution is driven by a dual commitment to academic rigor and industrial relevance, aiming to bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical applications.

This Special Issue on "Experimental Modeling of Tribosystems" serves as a platform to showcase the latest advancements in experimental tribology. By bringing together contributions from leading researchers and industry professionals, this Special Issue aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the cutting-edge methodologies, innovative techniques, and insightful findings shaping the future of experimental tribological research. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Development of novel tribological testing setups and instrumentation to measure friction and wear as well as other relevant parameters, such as lubricant film thickness, electrical contact resistance, and number of wear particles.
• Advances in surface characterization techniques for tribological analysis.
• Investigation of tribological phenomena under extreme operating conditions, such as high temperatures, sub-zero temperatures, cryogenic testing, and gas atmospheres (e.g. nitrogen, hydrogen, ammonia).
• Application-driven tribological testing methodologies for specific industries or applications.
• Case studies highlighting the practical implications of experimental tribology research.

Dr. Igor Velkavrh
Dr. Max Marian
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Lubricants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• experimental methods
• tribological testing
• friction
• wear
• tribometry
• extreme operating conditions