Wear, abrasion, friction, you want to carry out a tribological study of your materials
Material wear, abrasion and friction
The correlation between these 3 phenomena
Understanding wear analysis mechanisms
Identifying the root cause of surface degradation requires a precise understanding of the interaction between materials. Through wear analysis, our laboratory identifies specific phenomena such as adhesive wear, surface fatigue, or corrosive wear. By studying the morphology of the worn surface, we can determine if the failure originated from material defects, improper lubrication, or unexpected environmental factors.
Wear, abrasion and friction: major industrial issues studied in the tribology laboratory
In all industrial sectors – aerospace, automotive, medical, nuclear and cosmetics – mechanical materials and components are subjected to repeated stress: movements, loads, shocks, dry or lubricated contacts, etc.
These interactions can lead to wear, abrasion or friction, resulting in premature degradation of parts, loss of performance and even a risk to user safety.
To anticipate these failures, manufacturers need to analyse the interactions between surfaces in detail. This is what tribology is all about, the science that studies the phenomena of contact between two surfaces in relative motion.
The FILAB laboratory, experts in tribology, can help you analyse the wear, abrasion and friction of your materials
Why choose FILAB for tribological wear, abrasion and friction analysis of your materials?
The FILAB laboratory offers you a comprehensive, tailor-made approach to tribological wear, abrasion and friction analysis of your materials. Thanks to state-of-the-art analytical equipment and a team of engineers specialising in surface analysis, tribology, metallurgy and fatigue, we are able to simulate your actual conditions of use, adapt the test protocols to your constraints, and above all characterise the damaged areas in detail.
Preventing failure through wear analysis
Beyond simple observation, wear analysis is a tool for quality control and R&D optimization. It allows manufacturers to validate the durability of protective coatings, compare the performance of different alloys, and ensure that materials meet specific industrial standards. By identifying the initiation point of wear, FILAB helps companies implement corrective actions to extend product lifespan.
Our other services
Expertise in surface coating on materials
Surface analysis: roughness, thickness measurement, topographical and morphological analysis
R&D support in the choice of surface treatments or cleaning processes
FAQ
Tribology is the science that studies the phenomena of contact between two surfaces in relative motion: wear, friction and lubrication. It is used to understand how materials interact with each other under real or simulated conditions of use.
We work with a wide range of materials:
- Metals and alloys
- Polymers, engineering plastics, composites
- Ceramics and surface coatings
- Biomaterials and medical materials
- Lubricants and friction agents
To :
Identify the causes of damage or failure (e.g. breakage, loss of performance)
Compare materials, coatings or surface treatments
Improve the lifespan of a product or mechanical component
Optimise an industrial process or assembly
Meet compliance or safety requirements
The main objective is to determine the root cause of material degradation. By understanding the wear mechanism, manufacturers can optimize material selection, improve surface treatments, and prevent recurring mechanical failures.
Wear is the general term for material loss due to contact , whereas abrasion is a specific type of wear caused specifically by hard particles or rough surfaces scratching the material.
