Abstract
This chapter reviews the origins of surface-system considerations. It highlights the fundamental role a surface plays in preserving the structural integrity of a tribological system and the crucial role of surface texture in maintaining the state of a rubbing material. Here the authors make the case for custom engineering of texture. It is shown that the idea of engineering textural features, while being fundamental, is not easy to implement. They discuss the complexity of the factors involved and how they render the customization process industrially demanding. The main emphasis is on one fundamental factor, namely, the absence of a texture design paradigm that caters to the multi-functionality requirement for futuristic surfaces.