Speaker
Description
Tribometry involves numerous testing configurations in which parameters such as geometry, pressure, speed, and temperature are modified to replicate real tribological conditions as closely as possible. Although the outcomes are often difficult to predict, tribological testing methods are well established. Similarly, corrosion testing setups combined with instrumentation for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) or related techniques are also firmly established in the field of electrochemical measurements.
The rapid industrial development of electric vehicles (EVs) and their associated applications has generated strong interest in combining these testing methods. This approach, analogous to tribocorrosion, seeks to merge electrical and tribological measurements.
In tribology testing with lubrication, complementary methods such as electrical contact resistance (ECR) and EIS provide deeper insights into the underlying physical phenomena. Measuring electrical quantities during tribological experiments makes it possible to integrate impedance data with friction measurements, thereby revealing how changes in electrical properties influence frictional behavior. Such an approach also allows the investigation of impedance transitions and lubrication regime changes.
Several testing configurations are relevant for this type of combined analysis, including the 4-ball test, mini-traction tester, and pin-on-disk setups. Each of these methods enables the study of friction and wear while incorporating electrical measurements.
Looking ahead, future trends point toward the development of tribological characterization techniques that integrate impedance and resistance monitoring. This combined approach will provide a more advanced understanding of the interactions between electrical, mechanical, and lubrication phenomena.