Shafira Almagfirah

 

Professor Kailas obtained his B.Tech. from the Government Engineering College, Thrissur in 1987, M.E. and Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Science in 1989 and 1994, respectively. He then carried out postdoctoral research at IISc till 1996 and was a Guest Researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA during 1996-97. He is at IISc since 1997 and is today a Professor at IISc. He is carrying out research in tribology, friction stir welding/processing and metal forming. Other interests include development of eco-friendly lubricants and eco-friendly processing. He has published over 150 peer reviewed Journal articles and chapters in books and 110 Conference Papers.

 

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PPT file: Energy based approach to evaluate tribo-contacts under boundary

 

Overview

The Stribeck curve is a key concept in tribology that explains how friction, viscosity, and load interact in different lubrication conditions. In a recent webinar, Professor Satish from the Indian Institute of Science shared his research on analyzing this curve in the boundary lubrication regime using a force-controlled tribometer. His findings offer a more precise way to study lubrication performance and improve tribological testing methods.

What is the Stribeck Curve?

The Stribeck curve shows how coefficient of friction (COF) changes with lubricant properties and operating conditions. It helps define three lubrication regimes:

  • Boundary lubrication – High friction due to direct surface contact.
  • Mixed lubrication – Partial lubricant film formation.
  • Hydrodynamic lubrication – Full lubricant film preventing contact.

Force-Controlled vs. Displacement-Controlled Tribometers

Traditional displacement-controlled tribometers measure friction by controlling movement, but force-controlled tribometers apply a constant force, making the results more accurate. This method is especially useful in low-speed lubrication studies, where precise force application leads to better data reliability.

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Key Findings from the Study

Professor Satish’s team used a pendulum tribometer to test different lubricants and additives. Here are some important takeaways:

  • Zinc Dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) was highly effective in reducing wear.
  • Noise and vibration analysis provided deeper insights into lubricant behavior.
  • FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) and wavelet analysis helped interpret tribological data more accurately.

Where Can This Research Be Applied?

Beyond mechanical engineering, these findings could benefit food tribology, like studying how chocolate and soap interact with surfaces. Moving forward, researchers aim to refine tribometer designs to improve boundary lubrication testing.

Conclusion 

Professor Satish’s research introduces a better way to evaluate lubrication performance, helping industries improve wear resistance, energy efficiency, and overall system reliability. His work highlights the importance of precise tribological testing for advancing material science and industrial applications.

Related Articles

  1. Stribeck Curve: A Fundamental Concept in Tribology
  2. Boundary Lubrication: Mechanisms and Applications
  3. Tribometers: Types and Applications in Tribology
  4. Hydrodynamic Lubrication: Theory and Definition

Keyword:

  • Stribeck curve
  • Boundary lubrication
  • Force-controlled tribometer
  • Displacement-controlled tribology
  • Lubrication regimes
  • Coefficient of friction
  • Zinc Dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP)
  • Noise and vibration analysis
  • FFT in tribology