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.

STLE Membership is a Low-Cost Investment with High Professional Rewards
The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) is a professional technical society providing a selection of robust resources in technical research, education and professional development delivered through programming, courses, events and periodicals on topics most important to you: safety, energy usage, maintenance, natural resources, wear and productivity. 

Membership is available to those interested in staying current in the latest technologies, advancing their careers and making new professional connections from around the world.

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 grants three academic awards through its Presidential Awards Program. These awards are meant to encourage students to pursue an advanced degree or a career in tribology or lubrication engineering by subsidizing a research project related to the field.

TLT Quick Links 

Check out what's inside the June Issue of TLT - Digital Edition | TLT Archives

This issue of the digital TLT is sponsored by Afton Chemical.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

COVER STORY
Progress in tribological molecular simulations (posted on May 5, 2021)
In the computational modeling region between quantum physics and macroscale engineering lies the chemistry-intensive realm of molecular modeling. Not too long ago, molecular modeling of tribological systems was considered interesting basic science—but not nearly well developed enough to be of use in practical applications such as formulating lubricants, coatings and surface treatments. Things are changing now. Read more >
FEATURE ARTICLE
Management culture and the maintenance prize (posted on May 5, 2021)
Maintenance practices vary across industry, ranging from close attention to maintenance schedules to general disregard beyond breakdown maintenance. Improving maintenance practices translates into bottom-line benefits such as reduced wear on equipment and increased production. However, the cultural attitude toward maintenance practices impacts how a company performs in terms of both saving money and having productive, well-maintained equipment. Read more >
LUBRICATION FUNDAMENTALS
Hybrid additive manufacturing in the factory of the future (posted on May 5, 2021)
Computer numerical control, or CNC, is the industrial era’s response to an ancient legacy of subtractive manufacturing. While prehistoric sculptors chipped away at solid stone to reveal the figures of their imaginations, modern machinists use CNC to carve bulk metal into uniform parts with mathematical precision. Read more >
PRESIDENT'S REPORT 
My STLE Presidency (posted on May 5, 2021)
Wow, to say the least, this has definitely been a different year than I originally thought or planned as my one-year term as STLE President comes to a close. Having been a member of STLE for more than 30 years and having attended 25 STLE Annual Meetings, I thought I had a good idea on the kind of year I might have and the shoes I would try to fill. Who would have ever predicted that I wouldn’t actually need shoes at all, as, to the best of my knowledge, I am quite likely the only STLE President to complete their entire term in a pair of slippers. 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 
2020 Report on Emerging Issues and Trends in Tribology and Lubrication Engineering
STLE’s 2020 Report on Emerging Issues and Trends in Tribology and Lubrication Engineering builds on a multiphase research effort to evaluate current trends and predict future developments impacting the field of tribology and lubrication engineering that was published in the first two Emerging Trends reports in 2014 and 2017. Based on input from technical experts around the world, the triennial Emerging Trends Report includes a look into more recent advances and topics that have surfaced in the latest publication. Order your 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 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

Access exhibits & technical presentations from the 2021 STLE Virtual Annual Meeting & Exhibition
(June 7, 2021)
 
If you didn’t catch all the sessions or want to re-watch any of the presentations again, don’t worry! All sessions and presentation recordings are available on demand, unless noted—including access to the virtual exhibit booths—for 90 days to attendees after the event concludes. Attendees who visit the booths can download literature and email booth staff for additional information. You can still access the virtual event platform and meeting content through Aug. 18, 2021. Click here to access the virtual platform.

Meet STLE's 2021-2022 President Dr. Ken Hope
(May 26, 2021)

Dr. Ken Hope from Chevron Phillips Chemical Elected 2021-2022 STLE President Ken Hope, global PAO technical services manager for Chevron Phillips Chemical in The Woodlands, Texas, takes the reins as STLE’s 2021-2022 president, with his one-year term beginning in May. Click here to continue reading.

STLE's Newest Board Members
(May 26, 2021)

Members have elected the following to STLE 2021 - 2022 Board of Directors: Khalid Malik with Ontario Power Generation in Pickering, Ontario, Canada, Ramoun Mourhatch with Chevron Oronite LLC in Richmond, California and Angela Pitenis with the University of California, Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara California. Click here to continue reading. 

Mark your calendars for 2022 STLE Annual Meeting
(May 20, 2021)

As we conclude the 2021 Annual Meeting we wanted to invite you back for the 76th STLE Annual Meeting & Exhibition on May 15-19, 2022 at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin in Orlando, Florida. We look forward to seeing you in person at the next meeting. Save the Date.

2022 STLE Annual Meeting Call for Papers Abstract site opens August 2021
(May 20, 2021)

Abstract submission site for the 2022 STLE Annual Meeting & Exhibition will open August 2021. If you are interested in presenting your research please prepare a 100 - 150 word abstract for submission. Thank you.

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