Friction and Bearing Tribology

Two surfaces in contact touch only at a small fraction of their apparent area—and almost everything in tribology follows from that fact.

This introduction builds the subject from there. You will learn how roughness and Hertzian contact set the real contact area, where friction actually comes from, and how the four wear mechanisms differ in practice and in the rates they produce. Lubricant properties and the Stribeck curve then let you place any bearing in its operating regime by film thickness ratio.

From there you size hydrodynamic journal and thrust bearings using the Reynolds equation and Sommerfeld analysis, calculate rating life for rolling element bearings, and select seals, bushings and coatings. A closing chapter reads oil and vibration data to diagnose failures. For mechanical engineering students and design engineers.

What you will learn:

• How surface roughness and Hertzian contact mechanics determine the real area of contact
• The origins of friction and how the four wear mechanisms differ in practice and in the rates they produce
• Lubricant properties and how the Stribeck curve places any bearing in its operating regime by film thickness ratio
• How to size hydrodynamic journal bearings using the Reynolds equation and Sommerfeld analysis
• Design and analysis of thrust, tilting-pad and hydrostatic bearings
• Rating life calculations for rolling element bearings
• Selection of seals, dry bearings and surface engineering treatments
• Condition monitoring techniques to read oil and vibration data and diagnose failures

This book is written for mechanical engineering students and practicing design engineers who need a clear, practical introduction to friction, wear, lubrication and bearing tribology. Whether you are new to the subject or looking to refresh your understanding, the chapters build from first principles to real-world bearing selection and failure analysis.