High Temperature Tribology of Materials

Advancements in science necessitate the development of novel structural materials capable of enduring extreme temperatures across diverse fluid and environmental settings.  Understanding the friction and wear characteristics of these materials at elevated temperatures holds paramount significance for the efficient operation of both mobile and stationary machine components.

The effectiveness of materials in components experiencing high-temperature friction is closely intertwined with their mechanical performance in elevated thermal conditions. The tribological behavior of machine parts, instruments, and tools in contact is of utmost importance. Ongoing research at Florida Internanional University focuses on scrutinizing the friction and wear tendencies of diverse materials such as metals, ceramics, composites, and polymers when exposed to temperatures ranging from 150 to 800°C. FIU employs ball-on-disk rotational and reciprocating tribology modules to test and evaluate the varying wear properties for numerous applications.