This collection of fully peer-reviewed papers were presented at the 26th Leeds-Lyon Tribology Symposium which was held in Leeds, UK, 14-17 September, 1999. The Leeds-Lyon Symposia on Tribology were launched in 1974, and the large number of references to original work published in the Proceedings over many years confirms the quality of the published papers. It also indicates that the volumes have served their purpose and become a recognised feature of the tribological literature. This year's title is 'Thinning Films and Tribological Interfaces', and the papers cover practical applications of tribological solutions in a wide range of situations. The evolution of a full peer review process has been evident for a number of years. An important feature of the Leeds-Lyon Symposia is the presentation of current research findings. This remains an essential feature of the meetings, but for the 26th Symposium authors were invited to submit their papers for review a few weeks in advance of the Symposium. This provided an opportunity to discuss recommendations for modifications with the authors.

The tribological properties of relatively moving surfaces are greatly influenced by thin surface films which are of considerable importance in the design of machine components. From Victorian days when working lubricant films were calculated in tens of micrometres, to today when molecular dynamics simulations and even experiments are beginning to look at nanometre, single molecule thick films, the study of surfaces which is the tribologists' challenge has moved to finer and finer scales.The 66 papers in this volume provide reviews across the tribological field with thin films as their theme, giving a comprehensive and concise description on topics ranging from coatings and surface modification to bio-tribology. The articles provide the reader with an outline of their most effective application and potential uses in new technologies. The volume will be of interest not only to research workers and design engineers in the fields of new machine developments and lubrication, but also to engineers and students specialising in tribology.

These papers represent the proceedings from the 29th Leeds-Lyon Symposium on Tribology, 'Tribological Research and Design for Engineering Systems' which was held in September 2002. Over 130 delegates from 18 countries attended the symposium, and the extensive discussions generated over 150 written questions and responses, which are documented at the end of this proceedings volume.There have been many advances in the field of tribology in recent years, with progress being made in the engineering and interaction of surfaces; micro and nano-tribology; elastohydrodynamics; surface films; surface texture; tribochemistry; wear and life prediction; with both experimental and theoretical contributions. These advances were reviewed, and the impact of this understanding on the fundamentals upon total engineering activity in design, manufacture and machine operation were considered.Readership:Scientists and researchers in the field of tribology.

The word tribology was fIrst reported in a landmark report by P. Jost in 1966 (Lubrication (Tribology)--A Report on the Present Position and Industry's Needs, Department of Education and Science, HMSO, London). Tribology is the science and technology of two interacting surfaces in relative motion and of related subjects and practices. The popular equivalent is friction, wear and lubrication. The economic impact of the better understanding of tribology of two interacting surfaces in relative motion is known to be immense. Losses resulting from ignorance of tribology amount in the United States alone to about 6 percent of its GNP or about $200 billion dollars per year (1966), and approximately one-third of the world's energy resources in present' use, appear as friction in one form or another. A fundamental understanding of the tribology of the head-medium interface in magnetic recording is crucial to the future growth of the $100 billion per year information storage industry. In the emerging microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) industry, tribology is also recognized as a limiting technology. The advent of new scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques (starting with the invention of the scanning tunneling microscope in 1981) to measure surface topography, adhesion, friction, wear, lubricant-fIlm thickness, mechanical properties all on a micro to nanometer scale, and to image lubricant molecules and the availability of supercomputers to conduct atomic-scale simulations has led to the development of a new fIeld referred to as Microtribology, Nanotribology, or Molecular Tribology (see B. Bhushan, J. N. Israelachvili and U.

The internal combustion is widely used as a power source in engineering. As the demands placed upon engines have increased, tribology has come to play an increasingly important role in their development.This book is a creative combination of intelligent design technology and the tribological design of engines: engine tribology, information science, artificial intelligence, non numerical algorithms, modern design technology and dynamics to propose new methodology and technology for tribological engine design. It not only presents an effective approach to l engine design but also explores a new pattern for research and l design methodology. · An essential reference for the design of more effective and efficient engines· Proposes new techniques for tribological engine design· Combines advanced design technologies with traditional tribological design methods

In spite of the practical importance of the friction, wear and lubrication of elastomers, limited literature is available on this topic. Addressing these needs, this book will give readers a complete understanding of rubber tribology and the key developments in this field over the last ten years. For the first time new and important achievements such as theories of rubber abrasion and surfacial mechanochemical effects of rubber wear are presented. The book pays special attention to the principles of rubber wear – a clear understanding of which is essential for those striving towards further increasing the working life of rubber.* Comprehensively and systematically covers main points of rubber tribology* The original choice of contents informs readers of the latest developments in the field*Meeting the needs of various readers - researchers, engineers, technicians, graduates

The 25th Leeds-Lyon Symposium on Tribology was held at the Institut des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon, from 8-11th September, 1998. Its central theme was, "Lubrication at the frontier: the role of the interface and surface layers in the thin film and boundary regime". This topic was chosen because it represents an important evolution of the research field.The Symposium opened with a keynote address entitled "Role of surface-anchored polymer chains in polymer friction" which described the processes taking place at the interface between "solid" and "liquid". The keynote address was followed by two invited lectures. Firstly, "Fuel efficient engine oils, additive interactions, boundary friction and wear" presented the industrial point of view on lubricant formulation and engine testing and its evolution. The second lecture was entitled "For establishment of a new EHL theory" and stressed the need to extend the current EHL theory.Beginning in 1974, The Leeds-Lyon Symposia have now covered a wide range of topics. The essential aim each year is to select a topic of current interest to tribologists and to contribute to further the advance of knowledge in selected fields.

The surface coating field is a rapidly developing area of science and technology that offers new methods and techniques to control friction and wear. New coating types are continually being developed and the potential applications in different industrial fields are ever growing, ranging from machine components and consumer products to medical instruments and prostheses. This book provides an extensive review of the latest technology in the field, addressing techniques such as physical and chemical vapour deposition, the tribological properties of coatings, and coating characterization and performance evaluation techniques. Eleven different cases are examined in close detail to demonstrate the improvement of tribological properties and a guide to selecting coatings is also provided. This second edition is still the only monograph in the field to give a holistic view of the subject and presents all aspects, including test and performance data as well as insights into mechanisms and interactions, thus providing the level of understanding vital for the practical application of coatings. * An extensive review of the latest developments in the field of surface coatings* Presents both theory and practical applications* Includes a guide for selecting coatings