Research Overview


Lubrication is a technological barrier for a growing number of important applications that need performance where traditional lubrication techniques are precluded. The UD Materials Tribology Laboratory conducts research studying the nature of friction and wear, and developing novel materials and lubrication strategies for use in extreme applications.

Environmental Testing


Contrary to conventional wisdom, friction coefficient and wear rate are not material properties. Both may depend strongly on surface roughness, chemistry, environment composition and pressure, temperature, velocity and contact pressure. Understanding the effects of these factors is critical to the design process and often provides valuable insights into the sliding mechanisms.