Guest editorial: Special Issue on Science of Wear

摘要

Among the basic tribological phenomena of contact, adhesion, friction, lubrication and wear, wear remains the least scientifically understood. At the same time, wear remains one of the most important tribological phenomena in practice, affecting all aspects of our lives and current technologies. The impact of wear is remarkable in terms of energy losses, environmental impact, component lifetime and economic costs. It may result in catastrophic failures and operational breakdowns that can adversely impact productivity and hence cost. Thus, controlling wear and process optimization play significant roles in sustainable development.