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. 

What is STLE? 

STLE, one of the largest professional societies in the field, serves 15,000 industry professionals worldwide.

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.


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 April TLT - Digital Edition | TLT Archives

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

 
FEATURED ARTICLE
Designing better bearings
(posted on March 14, 2019)
“Everyone uses bearings, and if I do my job right you don’t really have to think about them,” says STLE-member Bryan Allison, a product development engineer with SKF Aeroengine North America. Bearings are in everything from ATM card readers to zoo turnstile gates. The tiniest bearings, just a few millimeters across, are found in medical and dental instruments and model cars. The largest bearings can be more than 10 meters across—one behemoth, used in an offshore oil drilling rig, is 18 meters in diameter. Read more >
LUBRICATION FUNDAMENTALS
A lesson relearned (posted on March 14, 2019)
I had the pleasure of attending the OilDoc Conference in Rosenheim this past January. As usual, the conference was well attended, provided a good opportunity to reconnect with a number of our European friends, as well as those from the U.S., and there were a number of very good presentations. Read more >
INDUSTRY
STLE honors its 75th birthday with a year of celebration (posted on February 21, 2019)
To honor STLE’s diamond birthday, the board in late 2018 appointed a team of volunteers to plan a series of commemorative activities. The celebration starts with this issue of TLT and continues through the next year and a half, including events at both the 2019 (Nashville) and 2020 (Chicago) annual meetings. All STLE individual and corporate members will have an opportunity to get involved with the anniversary celebrations and, in some cases, even sponsor key events. Read more >
PRESIDENT'S REPORT 
The life blood of the society (posted on March 14, 2019)
If you have read any of my previous articles, you know I am a strong proponent of STLE local section activities. Local sections are the life blood of the organization. It is where we can deliver monthly on our mission across the country—wait, across the world—to hundreds of people that cannot always make it to our national conferences. I value the time I have spent visiting local sections and look forward to the time when I am freed up to get back on the leadership of the Northern California Section. 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
STLE celebrates its 75th Anniversary
(March 3, 2019)
 
On behalf of all STLE members, I’d like to salute our founding fathers on this milestone anniversary. The seed they planted grew into a technical organization that has led the lubricants industry for seven decades and advanced the careers of thousands of members. STLE’s standing in the lubricants industry is so strong that simply being a member confers instant credibility upon an individual and his or her organization. Click here to learn more.

2019 Tribology Frontiers Conference Call for Papers Extended to April 15th
(Feb. 18, 2019)

STLE invites authors to submit abstracts for consideration as podium or poster presentations for the 2019 Tribology Frontiers Conference, Oct. 20-23 in Chicago. Oral presentations require submission of a 150-word abstract as a summary, as well as a one-page extended abstract that will be archived on the STLE website. Poster presenters may submit a traditional 150-word abstract. The submissions deadline extended to April 15, 2019. Click here to submit TFC papers today!

New 2019 STLE App Challenge questions available
(Feb. 11, 2019)

The STLE App Challenge is an ongoing contest that asks players to answer tribology and lubrication-related questions. Every Monday, new questions will be posted through the STLE 365 App. Answer questions correctly to gain points. Players with the top three scores at the end of each month will receive a $10 Amazon gift card. In addition, all winners will be entered into a Grand Prize drawing. Learn more about the STLE App Challenge.

STLE is looking for a few good volunteers
(Jan. 21, 2019)

STLE is currently seeking volunteers from the membership community, with the expertise and skills, to help the Society continue to improve upon its professional and technical resources to those in the lubrication field. If you're interested, please complete the STLE Volunteer Interest Form. Click here to view available volunteer opportunities for 2019.

Upcoming Events

Modern Materials & Manufacturing 2019
Tallin, Estonia | April 23-26

JIFT 2019
Tours, France | April 24-26

STLE Detroit Section Meeting
Southfield, MI | April 24

STLE Northern California Section Meeting
Oakland, CA | April 24

STLE Portland Section Meeting
Portland, OR | April 26

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