Affiliation:
1. Central Laboratory T.N.O., Delft, The Netherlands.
Abstract
Research in this field is performed by T.N.O., by the three technical universities and by a few industrial laboratories. Discussions, refresher courses and education of technicians have been organized by several technical societies to reach all members of the engineering community. Hydrodynamic lubrication, grooved bearings and seals are the principal topics of engineering research. Vehicle research has led to new approaches in measuring tyre-road interactions. The influence of traces of oxygen on the friction of metals and on lubrication by solids is studied. Special equipment has been designed to solve fretting problems in atomic energy engineering. Two items of great importance to marine diesel engineering have been developed in Holland, viz. chromium-plating of cylinder liners and emulsion oils. Organization of maintenance work in collieries, steel mills and the transport industries is briefly outlined. Selecting wear-resistant materials for a specific application demands an operational approach. Government-sponsored education and research in ‘tribology’ meet the requirements of Dutch industry.