Laboratory experiments and demonstrations in tribology

Abstract

The Jost Report 1 has drawn attention to the present state of education and training in tribology in colleges' and universities. At the present time many academic institutions are planning courses in tribology and many of these lecture courses will require support in the form of laboratory experiments or demonstrations. It is unfortunate that apparatus suitable for teaching purposes has not been readily available in the past, and although some manufacturers are now recognizing the special requirements of tribology, it is appropriate to examine some of the ‘home’ designed and manufactured equipment which has been found to be useful in the teaching of tribology at the University of Leeds. This equipment varies from simple and cheap demonstration models to more complicated and expensive machinery which can serve a dual role in education and research. In many cases it will be difficult to find time for formal laboratory instruction in the subject of tribology in the crowded timetables familiar to college and university departments. There are, however, some simple demonstrations which can be used to illustrate an action or principle which are very useful to the teacher, and even if time can be found for laboratory exercises the author believes that a qualitative demonstration is often more effective than a quantitative experimental task. In any event the teacher has to decide whether he wishes to illustrate an action or principle or provide quantitative information, since this decision will determine the form of the apparatus. In this series of articles detailed accounts will be given of simple demonstration models and more complicated general purpose teaching and research machines covering liquid-lubricated journal and thrust bearings, lubricated cylindrical contacts, gas bearings and rolling contact bearings.