Tribology: Trends in the half-century development

Abstract

The paper treats in brief trends in development of tribology (a concept formulated by Peter Jost) in the half-centennial period, setting a stress on the research history of friction, lubrication and wear processes along with their role in engineering and social life. Actuality of the new tribological trends is stated in economy of energy and materials, intensified usage of friction joints in modern engineering, including aerospace, biology, medicine and ecology. The scale factor significance in tribology and nanotechologies is underlined.