Tribology research trends in Italy

Abstract

This paper furnishes a survey of recent investigations and of the current tribology research trends in Italy. Several topics related to tribology are investigated in several different departments of universities, research centres and industries. Some basic studies on friction and lubrication also at the atomic-scale level are reported. A big effort is addressed to researches on surface topography, contact mechanics aspects and particularly on surface coatings and treatments. Indentation and scratching techniques are used for the characterization of both coatings and bulk materials down to the nanoscale. Mechanical characterisation of materials and material processing involve tribological aspects too. Investigations on the wear behaviour of different materials for applications in the field of biotribology are also being carried out. The increasing interest of the industrial world in tribological problems is producing a lot of collaborations among universities, research centres and industries. Several tribological components and practical applications are investigated, such as lubricated sliding bearings, gas and magnetic bearings, gears, sealing systems, automotive and rail components. Investigations are often completed by diagnostic studies for monitoring or maintenance purposes

An application of the weight function technique to inclined surface cracks under rolling contact fatigue, assessment and parametric analysis

“…Although this paper only considers the Hertz pressure distribution, and proportional friction, the contact distribution can be more general by following this step function discretization. For instance, the elastohydrodynamic contact distribution can also be considered [30], or any not Hertzian pressure distribution generated by discontinuous curvature contacting profiles [31]. Two different crack loading contact conditions need to be distinguished before calculating the WF integrals: pressurization, and closed crack.…”

Improving Tribological Properties of Multialkylated Cyclopentanes under Simulated Space Environment: Two Feasible Approaches

“…With the continuous development of various drive mechanisms over the past few decades, friction and wear of mating surfaces in relative motion have become the major roadblock to the mission requirements for mechanisms. − Especially, space vehicles with various machine elements require much higher reliability and longer durability because the breakdown of these elements can readily inflict fatal damage to the vehicles with no possibility of repair. , Accordingly, more effective control or reduction of friction and wear in moving mechanical systems is of great significance and importance for ensuring the reliability and durability. Lubricants always play a key role in ensuring the promised performance of such mechanisms.…”

Corrosion of rail tracks and their protection

“…Surface modification technologies, including thermal spraying and laser cladding, can promote material performances, increase service lifetime and also save economic loss for rail industries (Meng et al 2019). Thermal spraying coatings are abrasion-resistant with low friction (Bartuli et al 2007;Ciulli 2009;Steffens et al 1995), among which ceramic-based abrasive coatings (including alumina, titania, zirconia, chromia, yttria and the mixtures (Rainforth 2004)) are the most applied, as so called "tribo-coatings". Plasma nitriding surface treatment was also suggested for mechanical components of rail industry aiming at enhancing abrasion and corrosion resistance, and also surface hardness (Franklin et al 2006;Lailatul and Maleque 2017).…”