Tribology
Contents
Tribology Laboratory - University of Pretoria
The tribology group is headed by Professor Philip de Vaal and was started in 1987 with support from ESKOM, Anglo-American and ISCOR. The activities in the lab focus on lubricant performance evaluation, which includes analysis of greases, oils and diesels. More recent industrial problems with diesel quality in South Africa motivated research in the field of diesel lubricity and biodiesel, sponsored by Sasol.
The Tribology Lab not only functions as a academic research lab, but also as an evaluation lab for industry. Several companies use the Tribology Lab for failure analysis and quality control.
The first section gives information regarding the equipment used in the Tribology Lab. The user manuals, test procedures and ASTM/ISO/DIN/SABS standards for each piece of equipment is included in the respective pages. Documentation of past and present projects can also be found there.
The second section includes all the work and some of the literature regarding hip tribology, and the third section has all the past |test results done for partners in industry. A password is required to access this page.
Section five gives access to all the ASTM/ISO/DIN/CEC/SABS standards and procedures that are not included in the equipment section. You will also need a password to access this page.
The last section contains all the project files and documents of students who worked on the diesel lubricity and biodiesel project.
Click here to gain access to files on the computers in the Tribology Lab (A password is required.)
You will find this page most useful when starting out with a new project or when you just have a problem in the lab. The aim of this site is also to log everything that happens in the lab to help create continuity between students responsible for the well-being of the lab.
Equipment
The following lubrication bench tests are available in the Tribology Lab.
Documentation for projects done on the FZG machine can be found here
Documentation for projects done on the SRV machine can be found here
T03 BICERI Universal Wear-testing Machine
Documentation for the projects done on the BICERI UWM can be found here
T04 High Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR)
Documentation, standards and test procedures regarding the HFRR can be found in this section.
T05 Mettler Toledo XP2003S Comparator Balance
Documentation and areas of application can be found in this section.
T06 US Steel Mobility Test Rig
Documentation and test method can be found in this section.
T07 Pensky Martin Closed Cup Tester
This piece of equipment is used to determine the flash point of petroleum products. Documentation and test method can be found in this section.
Documentation and test method can be found in this section.
Documentation and test method can be found in this section.
Hip Tribology
This section includes all the projects done on hip tribology. Click on hip tribology to access the page.
Test Results
This section contains all the test results that has been obtained for clients in industry. A password is required for access. Click on Test Results.
Standards and Procedures
All the local and international standards and specifications applicable to fuels and the operation of equipment in the Tribology Lab are available here. A password is required to access the information.
ASTM Standards and Specifications (Click here)
EN Standards and Specifications (Click here)
ISO Standards and Specifications (Click here)
SABS Standards and Specifications (Click here)
Diesel and Biodiesel lubricity
This section contains all the work done at the University of Pretoria, regarding diesel and biodiesel lubricity. Click on Diesel and Biodiesel Lubricity to access the page.
Tribology Library
This section contains some of the most crucial tribology literature. Many of this literature is not available at the Merensky Library and was interlended by previous students. A file with some of the important literature is available in hard copy. A password is required to access the literature.
Textbooks
Stachowiak and Batchelor (2005) Engineering Tribology
Textbook
Ludema (1996) Friction, Wear and Lubricity A textbook in Tribology
Textbook
