The Multiscale Tribology Laboratory
at Auburn University
Tribology: The study of friction, wear and lubrication of contacting surfaces.
2009 ASME Graduate Workshop on Wind Energy Tribology
Summary of Research: The goal of the Multiscale Tribology Laboratory is to investigate and model the physical phenomena that distress and govern contacting components through experimental and computational techniques. We also do research in the area of mechanical and electrical machine component design.
Figure: Rough surface contact modeling depicting the real area of contact.
Example Research Topics:
Friction and Wear Testing
Electrical Connectors
Multiscale Contact Mechanics
Multiphysics Simulations
Biomimetic and Self-adapting Surfaces
Tribology in MEMS
Surface Texturing and Engineering
Automobile Tire Testing and Modeling
Solenoid Valve Reliability and Modeling
Thrust Washer Bearings
Electrical and Thermal Contact Resistance
Numerical Simulation of Complex Tribological Systems
Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication
Figure: SEM of scuffed thust bearing surface
This laboratory has available several useful experimental and computational tools. This includes a new custom friction and wear test machine that has been recently constructed which is capable of measuring the load and frictional torque between a rotating sample and an opposing surface. The rig is very versatile and can handle samples of many different sizes and materials. In addition, it can be easily adapted to incorporate additional sensors as needed. Data from the rig is digitally recorded through a high speed data acquisition board and PC. The lab also contains the computational hardware, commercial and custom software needed to perform comprehensive tribological simulations. A rotating tire test rig is also available for use.
The lab has recently been donated several ring-on-ring fatigue test machines and Polymet rolling contact fatigue test rigs that will be refurbished for use in future studies. Multiple surface profilometers, atomic force microscopes, scanning electron microscopes, and nanoindentors are also available on the Auburn University campus.
The Alabama Microelectronics Science and Technology Center (AMSTC) is also located at and run by Auburn University. The AMSTC is a multidisciplinary research facility in the College of Engineering that is capable of fabricating a wide range micro and nano-scale components.
Equipment Information Flyers
High Temperature Bearing Test Rig
Disk on Disk Friction and Wear Test Apparatus
Micro-elastohydrodynamic Lubrication Test Rig (for micro-scale features)
Stylus Profilometer (for measuring surface roughness and profiles)
A typical contacting surface appears like the figure below where there are peaks on the surface (asperities) which can come into contact if the lubrication film is not thick enough. The contact and friction of surface interfaces will be affected by thermal effects, bulk material properties, local chemical interactions, dynamics (motion), and geometry.
The asperity contours are exaggerated in the figure.
Tribology as a field has many applications including nanotechnology, MEMs, Automotive, Bioengineering and many other industrial applications. Friction and wear between mechanical components has long been of great interest to engineers and scientists. It is commonly known that excessive wear of components can lead to altered performance and premature failure of machinery. Friction is likely to also affect the efficiency of systems by converting mechanical energy into non-recoverable thermal energy. Hence, it is of great importance that bearings, which are designed to decrease the friction and wear between contacting mechanical components, perform to a level acceptable for their individual application.
For additional information please see the publications page.
Other Topics of Interest:
Design of Machine Components
Through improved modeling and innovative design the performance of machine components can be improved. By integrating recent findings into models of machine components their behavior can be better understood and designed for.