Complexity of tribological characterizations illustrated with poly-alpha-olefin grease

摘要

When performing tribological investigations one easily discovers the complexity of the subject. This becomes apparent not only by the high fluctuation of measured values such as friction coefficients but also by seemingly low repeatability. In order to comprehend and correctly evaluate measured tribological data, one must come to understand tribological systems and processes. The present paper will introduce a way of looking at tribology from a process and system-related point of view. This is done by a theoretical discussion on process and system-theory of tribology followed by an illustrative series of experiments performed with poly-alpha-olefin greases.