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Open System Tribology is a field of
Factors influencing the tribological process will vary with the operating environment. This environment may be closed or open. Closed systems (e.g., gears in a
tribology
Tribology is the science and engineering of interacting surfaces in relative Motion (physics), motion. It includes the study and application of the principles of friction, lubrication and wear. Tribology is highly interdisciplinary, drawing on m ...
that studies tribological systems that are exposed to and affected by the natural environment
The natural environment or natural world encompasses all life, living and non-living things occurring nature, naturally, meaning in this case not Artificiality, artificial. The term is most often applied to the Earth or some parts of Earth. Th ...
.
Overview
Factors influencing the tribological process will vary with the operating environment. This environment may be closed or open. Closed systems (e.g., gears in a gearbox
Propulsion transmission is the mode of transmitting and controlling propulsion power of a machine. The term ''transmission'' properly refers to the whole drivetrain, including clutch, gearbox, prop shaft (for rear-wheel drive vehicles), differe ...
) are theoretically not affected by weather conditions. On the other hand, open systems are affected by weather conditions
Weather is the state of the atmosphere, describing for example the degree to which it is hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or stormy, clear or cloudy. On Earth, most weather phenomena occur in the lowest layer of the planet's atmosphere, the ...
(i.e., precipitation, temperature, and humidity). For example, weather conditions will strongly influence the tribosystem
A tribosystem is a tribological system that consists of at least two contacting bodies and any environmental factor that affects their interaction. Tribologists study tribological systems in detail, and devise tribological test procedures.
Defini ...
formed in a ski
A ski is a narrow strip of semi-rigid material worn underfoot to glide over snow. Substantially longer than wide and characteristically employed in pairs, skis are attached to ski boots with ski bindings, with either a free, lockable, or partial ...
-trail contact, and ski preparation specialists need to do a thorough work before a ski race.
Another example is that of tire
A tire (American English) or tyre (British English) is a ring-shaped component that surrounds a Rim (wheel), wheel's rim to transfer a vehicle's load from the axle through the wheel to the ground and to provide Traction (engineering), t ...
–road and wheel-rail
Rail or rails may refer to:
Rail transport
*Rail transport and related matters
*Rail (rail transport) or railway lines, the running surface of a railway
Arts and media Film
* ''Rails'' (film), a 1929 Italian film by Mario Camerini
* ''Rail'' ( ...
contacts that are exposed to the external environment. Here, artificial and natural contaminants will exert an influence on friction and wear. Sound and airborne particles from the contacting surfaces are not contained and emit to the surrounding air. Tribology at the wheel-rail contact plays a key role in railway performance. Friction controls the tracking and braking
A brake is a mechanical device that inhibits motion by absorbing energy from a moving system. It is used for slowing or stopping a moving vehicle, wheel, axle, or to prevent its motion, most often accomplished by means of friction.
Background ...
, while wear affects reliability and endurance.
Temperature influences the tribological process by affecting the properties of the contacting surfaces. Polymers, for example, are harder at low temperatures than at room temperature.
Tribology
References
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