Discover the benefits of STLE membership

Join now and engage with those employed by the world's leading corporations, academic institutions, and governmental agencies. STLE supports our members with a variety of technical, educational, and professional development resources and programs.

The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) is one of the largest professional societies in the field of tribology and lubrication engineering, which serves more than 15,000 industry professionals worldwide. Our mission is to advance the science of tribology and the practice of lubrication engineering in order to foster innovation, improve the performance of equipment and products, conserve resources and protect the environment.

What is tribology?

Tribology is the study of science and engineering of interacting surfaces in relative motion. It includes the study and application of the principles of friction, lubrication and wear. Tribology is a branch of mechanical engineering and materials science.

Tribology’s economic and commercial impact is vast. The science reduces energy use, lowers the cost of maintenance and replacement, develops new technology, and solves resource problems, such as the lack of clean water. Proper tribological procedures save an estimated 1.3% to 1.6% of a nation’s gross domestic product—a savings of hundreds of billions of dollars (U.S. currency) in larger countries. Virtually every nation has realized it cannot afford to overlook the economic, industrial, and commercial advantages of tribology. Consequently, tribology is a science that is constantly being advanced by thousands of researchers around the world. Lubrication engineering is the practical application of that science, generally in the development of lubricants and their proper usage and maintenance. Click here to learn more about tribology.


Online webinars, education courses and professional certification programs offer opportunities for continuing education to enhance your career and create value for your company.


STLE organizes, supports, co-sponsors and hosts meetings to provide the tribology and lubrication communities an opportunity to network, exchange ideas and information.


Educating technical professionals to compete in the global business environment is STLE's core mission of serving as a trusted provider of education and a workforce development partner.


STLE honors its 75th anniversary with a year of celebration. we begin with a salute to our founding fathers - a group of people who embody the spirit of volunteerism.

Check out what's inside the December TLT - Digital Edition | TLT Archives

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

17TH ANNUAL CMF PLUS (posted on November 15, 2019)
The industry's most innovative companies release key presentations from STLE's 2019 Commercial Marketing Forum in Nashville. Read more>
FEATURE ARTICLE
Emerging technologies advance traditional condition monitoring techniques (posted on November 15, 2019)
Monitoring of lubricants and the machinery where they are used is becoming more important as end-users wish to extend operating life for as long as possible. End-users are requiring lubricants and machinery to operate at optimum levels under more demanding conditions. To achieve this objective, lubricants and machinery have to be monitored to ensure that they retain the original operating characteristics needed to do their required tasks. Read more >
LUBRICATION FUNDAMENTALS
Incidental contact lubricants for the food industry (posted on November 15, 2019)
No one wants to eat food that tastes funny or makes them sick. However, on the journey from farm to fork, food touches or comes close to conveyor belts, slicers, extruders, gearboxes, bearings, pumps and drive mechanisms—and the lubricants that keep them running smoothly. Using specifically formulated incidental-contact lubricants anywhere there is any possibility of the lubricant coming into contact with the food can ensure that the final food product is safe to eat. Read more >
PRESIDENT'S REPORT 
Diversity and inclusion (posted on November 15, 2019)
I used to believe a company full of Mike Duncan clones would be very successful. And why not? I have a doctorate, I’m a passionate R&D chemist, hard-worker, work long hours, goal oriented, organized, good problem solver, relentless drive, quick decision maker, strive every day to get better, work well with others who also work hard, don’t easily get distracted—and a Republican. Read more >
STLE EDUCATION
Personalize Your Education. Advance Your Career
STLE Learning Pathways is a new online resource library for lubrication industry professionals to help identify, align and target their education and career development needs with access to technical articles, courses, webinars and books that will help them better serve their customers and employers. 
Learn more >
WHITE PAPERS & SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS 
2017 Report on Emerging Issues and Trends in Tribology and Lubrication Engineering
The new edition of STLE's Emerging Issues and Trends in Tribology and Lubrication Engineering report offers tribology and lubricant professionals valuable insight into future technical challenges and commercial opportunities for the field during the next 10 years. The Emerging Trends report is based on a year-long research survey of nearly 1,000 technical experts from around the world. Order your free copy >


Tribology Opportunities for Enhancing America's Energy Efficiency 
The Tribology Opportunities for Enhancing America's Energy Efficiency Report, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), summarizes the results from a workshop STLE hosted at the 2016 Annual Meeting in Las Vegas. The purpose of the workshop was to explore opportunities in advanced tribological science and engineering of energy technologies across a wide range of practical application sectors. You'll find the results of these efforts in the report. Order your free copy >

Trends in Tribology and Lubrication Engineering: Industry Leader Predictions Report

The Trends in Tribology and Lubrication Engineering: Industry Leader Predictions Report evaluates the impact of changes in industry, technology and the economy on the field. The 20-page report is based on a year-long study of nearly 1,000 industry experts surveyed with the goal of tapping into their collective wisdom and insight and drawing conclusions about the future of tribology and lubrication engineering. 
Order your free copy >

Trends in Tribology and Lubrication Engineering: Industry Leader Predictions Report

The Trends in Tribology and Lubrication Engineering: Industry Leader Predictions Report evaluates the impact of changes in industry, technology and the economy on the field. The 20-page report is based on a year-long study of nearly 1,000 industry experts surveyed with the goal of tapping into their collective wisdom and insight and drawing conclusions about the future of tribology and lubrication engineering. 
Order your free copy >

Trends in Tribology and Lubrication Engineering: Industry Leader Predictions Report

The Trends in Tribology and Lubrication Engineering: Industry Leader Predictions Report evaluates the impact of changes in industry, technology and the economy on the field. The 20-page report is based on a year-long study of nearly 1,000 industry experts surveyed with the goal of tapping into their collective wisdom and insight and drawing conclusions about the future of tribology and lubrication engineering. 
Order your free copy >

Trends in Tribology and Lubrication Engineering: Industry Leader Predictions Report

The Trends in Tribology and Lubrication Engineering: Industry Leader Predictions Report evaluates the impact of changes in industry, technology and the economy on the field. The 20-page report is based on a year-long study of nearly 1,000 industry experts surveyed with the goal of tapping into their collective wisdom and insight and drawing conclusions about the future of tribology and lubrication engineering. 
Order your free copy >

 









News
World Tribology Congress 2021 - First Announcement
(Dec. 13, 2019)

The 7th World Tribology Congress in 2021 will be an opportunity to bring together a large scientific community to promote international exchange and collaboration. This international event will i) highlight recent important progress in fields of tribology; ii) challenge our limits of tribological systems; iii) ensure the effective transfer of these skills to specific applications and iv) integrate environmental issues. Click here for all congress details.
 
Worldwide Student Poster Contest Extended to March 1, 2020
(Dec. 6, 2019)

Help spread the news. STLE is hosting a Worldwide Student Poster Contest in celebration of its 75th Anniversary. We are seeking participation in four categories: School grades (K-3), (4-6), (7-9) & (10-12). Winners in each category will receive cash prizes!. Click here to view contest rules and details. 

Now accepting Hotel Reservations for STLE 2020 Annual Meeting
(Nov. 8, 2019)

STLE has reserved a discounted room block for participants attending the 75th Annual Meeting & Exhibition at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago, May 3-7, 2020. Rooms for the meeting are assigned on a first come, first served basis. To reserve your room please visit https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/CHIRC/G-ESTL.

Upcoming Events

STLE Houston Section Meeting
Houston, TX | Jan. 10

STLE Philadelphia Section Meeting
Oreland, PA | Jan. 16

STLE Chicago Section Meeting
Woodrigde, IL | Jan. 16

22nd International Colloquium Tribology
Ostfildern, Germany | Jan. 29

Lubrication Technology for Metal Formers and Die Shop Conference
Novi, MI | Feb. 12-13

STLE Featured Videos