Tribology
A fully functional tribology laboratory with unique capabilities supports client-funded and internal research programs with innovative ideas, technology and equipment. A facility with carefully controlled environmental conditions houses a variety of test benches. Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has the tools required for comprehensive tribological studies. These include equipment for:
- Lubricant characterization
- Metrology
- Surface analysis
- Materials analysis
- Tribometers
- Research engines
Friction and wear of materials and geometries of engine components and subsystems are characterized using:
- Single-cylinder research engines that allow oil changes
and oil sampling from the liner or piston assembly while the
engine is running
- 0.5 liter gasoline
- 0.3 liter diesel
- Engine component rigs
- Valve train friction
- Motored piston/liner friction
- Journal bearing friction
- Bench rigs selected to maximize the range of contact
geometries and materials
- Plint TE-77 (ball on plate, cylinder on plate or ring on liner)
- MTM II (including oscillation and pin-on-disk option)
- Falex Block-on-Ring
SwRI has experience in many areas of tribology, including:
- Full-scale and laboratory wear-test design
- Wear mechanisms
- Research
- Mathematical model development
Related Terminology
tribology • tribometers • tribological • friction • friction measurement • wear • single cylinder research engine • lubricant • lubrication • metrology • materials • Plint TE-77 • MTM II • block-on-ring • falex
