Tribology
Graduate · Engineering
Syllabus focus
Standard syllabus · STEM / applied
Pricing
Graduate-level rates are set on consultation. See the pricing page for K–12 and undergraduate rates.
Topics typically covered
Standard syllabus
Contact mechanics and friction
- Surface topography and roughness parameters
- Hertzian contact of elastic bodies
- Adhesion and cohesion in contacts
- Amontons-Coulomb friction laws and limitations
- Stick-slip and friction-induced vibrations
- Boundary lubrication and surface films
- Mixed and hydrodynamic lubrication regimes
- Stribeck curve interpretation
- Reynolds equation for fluid film lubrication
- Elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) intro
Wear mechanisms and measurement
- Adhesive, abrasive, and fatigue wear modes
- Archard wear equation and wear coefficients
- Corrosive and erosive wear interactions
- Scuffing and seizure in gears and bearings
- Tribometers and standardized wear tests
- Surface hardness and its role in wear resistance
- Coatings: PVD, CVD, and thermal spray overview
- Solid lubricants: MoS₂, graphite, PTFE
- Nanotribology and AFM measurements
- Forensic wear analysis of failed components
STEM / applied
Bearing, seal, and component design
- Rolling element bearing selection and life calculation
- Journal and thrust bearing design
- Mechanical seal types and leakage control
- Piston ring and cylinder bore tribology in engines
- Gear tooth contact and lubrication
- Hip and knee implant tribology in biomedical devices
- Hard disk drive head-disk interface
- Electric vehicle drivetrain friction losses
- Condition monitoring via vibration and oil analysis
- Design project: bearing system for a machine
Research and sustainability
- Environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs)
- Tribology in additive manufacturing surfaces
- Biotribology: cartilage and synovial fluid
- Space tribology and vacuum effects
- Machine learning for friction model calibration
- Industry standards: ASTM G99 and related tests
- Guest lectures from lubricant and bearing suppliers
- Patent landscape in low-friction coatings
- Thesis topics in tribology research groups
- Qualifying exam tribology preparation
Notes
Topics reflect common engineering syllabi at US colleges and universities. Exact order, depth, and applied emphasis vary by institution, department, and instructor.