Tribology Group
Fundamental and innovative tribology toward social needs
About
Tribology is defined as "the science and technology of interacting surfaces in relative motion and of related subjects and practices" according to the glossary of the OECD. When objects slide each other, the surfaces (interfaces) move relatively, and the surfaces change from moment to moment due to friction and wear. There are various forms of friction, and tribology exists wherever objects move. The fact that tribology is regarded as a "the science and technology of practices" means that the problem of tribology is not an "ideal place", and it is necessary to proceed with research in consideration of actual movements, surfaces, environments, etc. We are conducting research while securing a broad perspective from basics to applications in order to respond to the diversity of the manufacturing industry, such as changes and uncertainties in social conditions and industrial structures expected in the future.
Keyword
Friction・Wear・Lubricarion・Maintenance・Machine Element・High Temperature Sliding Material・Cermet・Decarbonized Tribology System・Tribological Simulation・Surface Function
Points
- 1Ecological Tribology
- 2Functional Tribology
- 3Evaluation of Tribological Property
We are conducting research on "ecological tribology", "functional tribology", and "tribology evaluation" as priority topics. "Ecotribology" is a slightly old expression, but the impact of human activities on the global environment has not subsided and is becoming more serious. So we are working on the development of tribosystems that can deal with environmental and energy problems. "Functional tribology" gives functions to each of the three bodies related to tribology (two friction surfaces and a lubricant between them) to create a system that strongly supports increasingly sophisticated mechanical systems. "Tribology evaluation" involves correctly evaluating phenomena, examining whether the method can be used in research and development, and developing it into an international standard that can be used around the world.
Subjects
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1.Ecological Tribology
In order to prevent global warming, we are conducting research on lubricants (water, biomass alcohol, vegetable oil) that do not increase the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Sliding materials and lubrication films suitable for lubrication with water or alcohol have been developed. In order to lubricate with vegetable oil, we are also developing sliding materials with excellent fatty acid adsorption ability and corrosion resistance.
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2.Functional Tribology
The "Surface" is deeply involved in friction, lubrication and wear. By adding functions to this surface, friction can be controlled appropriately. As a result, new functions such as improved performance, energy saving etc. can be achieved. For instance, we are developing highly functional surfaces for the purpose of controlling the chemical properties of the surface by applying fine shapes and molecular modifications to the surface, controlling the tribological properties, and controlling the wettability and adhesion properties to the surface. It is also important to develop more functional materials. We are thus developing Ti(C, N)-based cermets with excellent high-temperature strength suitable for cutting difficult-to-cut materials. Also we are developing high-temperature sliding borides with high melting points and ultra-high hardness.
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3.Evaluation of Tribological Properties
The knowledge on the evaluation of tribological properties is being applied to various applications. As an example, we have developed a load carrying capacity test method for DLC films using a reciprocating sliding test in which the load is increased step by step, and are working on its standardization. For the frictional wear, due to the phenomena is complex and difficult to formulate, the stochastic simulation models which is based on the observations are used to reproduce the actual trends of the phenomena.
Themes
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Lubrication properties of vegetable oils for various tribological materials
Eco-tribologyLow environmental impactNatural fluids
The mechanisms affecting lubrication properties are being investigated for vegetable oils with low toxicity and superior biodegradability.
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Diagnosis for rolling bearings
DiagnosisBearingsMaintenance tribologyAcoustic emission (AE)
Predictive diagnosis method on rolling contact fatigue failure is being developed for rolling bearings.
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Water Lubrication System, Alcohol Lubrication System
Environmentally Friendry TribologyLow Environmental Burden
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Nanolubrication
Friction Control
We developed self-reparing nano structures and aim to improve the fitting capability and sliding characteristics.
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Functional Fluid Lubrication -Improvement of Parallel Plate Lubrication Characteristics by Surface Texturing-
Friction ControlSurface FunctionTexturing
We are carring out the reserch on clarifying the mechanism and applying it to actual equipment for technology that improves lubrication characteristics by processing fine unevenness on the sliding surface.
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Developments of new cermet with high strength and oxidation resistance at high temperatures, and new high-temperature sliding materials.
Tool MaterialsCermetHigh-Temperature HardnessCuttingSpark Plasma SinteringTi(C, N)Borides
Developments of Ti(C, N)-W cermets with higher hardness and oxidation resistance than conventional cemented carbides and cermets at high temperatures.
Press release : Sep. 14, 2020 View more -
Development of evaluation method for load carrying capacity of DLC films
Evaluation of tribological propertiesStandardizationDLC filmsLoad carrying capacityAnti-adhesion characteristicsFriction and wear test
An evaluation method for the load carrying capacity of DLC films has been developed, with the aim of proposing it as an international standard.
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Evaluation of tribological properties using SRV tribotester
Evaluation of tribological propertiesFriction and wear characteristicsDatabase
Various friction and wear testers such as SRV tribotester are used to evaluate tribological properties under wide range conditions.
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Simulation of frictional wear
Friction/WearDesign
For the frictional wear which are complex and difficult phenomenena to formulate, we simulate using stochastic models.
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Development of antifungal technology by control of the surface properties
FungiAdhesionSurface Modification
We have developed a coating technology that controls the chemical properties of the surface to suppress the adhesion of fungi to the surface and to easily remove fungi growing on metals, ceramics, and glass by washing with water.
