Computer support in tribology ‐ experiments and database

摘要

AbstractAs in all other areas of research today, so in tribology, computers play an important role. The exact analysis of tribological systems needs finite element methods (FEM) for calculation. Analysis of worn surfaces by SEM, AUGER, ESCA, XRS and the interpretation and documentation of measurements is performed with computers. The new approach to the basis of tribology by the use of scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and lateral force microscopy (LFM) would not be possible without computers. This paper points out the opportune tasks for computers in tribological simulation tests, such as complex test cycles, long time runs, automatic sensor calibration, measurements of fast varying signals, control and correction of mutual influences, and mentions the databases TRIBO (Tribology Index) for literature and Tribocollect for tribological data.