Tribology & Lubrication Technology
January 2018

View the digital edition >



This issue of the digital TLT is sponsored by STLE Certification.

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FEATURES

20 MINUTES

20 Minutes With Ernie Henderson
The president of K&E Petroleum Consulting speculates on how low engine oil viscosity can go.

LUBRICATION FUNDAMENTALS

What’s up with detergents and dispersants?
Both are surfactant subsets, but they differ greatly in their composition and interaction.

METALWORKING
Design of experiment reduces development time for higher-performing metal-cutting fluids
The software and process helped create a new product with half the number of formulations typically needed.

FEATURE ARTICLE

The drive for efficient performance
Automotive lubricants contribute to fuel efficiency in a host of ways beyond reducing engine friction.

2016 TFC ABSTRACT HIGHLIGHTS

Graphene-based superlubricity solution for macroscale applications
By Diana Berman, Ali Erdemir and Anirudha V. Sumant

TECH BEAT I 

Manufacturing of aluminum alloys by 3D printing
Researchers have successfully 3D printed 6061 and 7075 aluminums by adding nanoparticle grain refiners to the metal powders prior to processing.

TECH BEAT II 

Safer lithium-ion batteries
A water-based electrolyte can now be used in a battery that meets the desired voltage requirements.

TECH BEAT III 

Waste treatment of fracking water
A superhydrophilic membrane was able to facilitate water flow while trapping organic contaminants.

SOUNDING BOARD 

Component failure and tribotesting
Describe an example where component failure was mitigated, or a reliable technology was developed, with the aid of a properly selected tribotest.

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COLUMNS

Coefficient of friction in artificial joints

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