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the desk of Editor: |
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TRIBOLOGY : A MULTI - DISCIPLINARY APPROACH |
Tribology is a fascinating research subject as many
times the results of the research through experiments in
tribo testing machines are seen quickly. Many maintenance
engineers will also vouch for exciting findings when they
apply simple tribological tools in situation like oil
condition monitoring.Butcan we say so with confidence when
its come to the application of tribology to area such as
design, where the direct benefits may be rarely seen
or related to tribology? Neverthless it is very crucial
for the designer to remain focused on tribology to reap
the benefits in terms of reliable design and also to avoid
tribological problem at design stage before they occur in
real life application. Can we really argue a case for
tribology in a seemingly unconnected area such as
controlling global warning? Let us strech our mind: CO2
emission targets to be met by automobiles under Kyoto
Protoc, for example, can be helped, inter-alia, by
application of tribological research such as low rolling
resistance tyres, low viscosity friction modified
lubricants and low friction engine designs etc.
This brings us to the point : How can the designers and
the application engineers become tribology conscious? The
answer lies in the recognition of the fundamental
framework of tribology as an interdisciplinary science.
How many of us, the tribologists, have knowledge and
experience of multidisciplinary research? We have all
along emphasized; since Jost's report in 1966, the need of
tribology. But finally it is the demand which causes
growth. This demand for tribology can be created by
individuals, but only in small measures; the societies
like TSI can certainly make a better impact by encouraging
multidisciplinary groups to work in the field of tribology.
This issue of the TSI Newsletter features a technical
update 'Nano-Tribology' - which truly is
interdisciplinary. Eminent Tribologist featured in this
issue belongs to the group of application engineers who
are creating the demand for tribology in the country from
which will emanate the ned for tribological research thus
creating a self sustaining mechanism for growth of
tribology.
Twoof our local chapters, Bhopal and Pune, have been quite
active in these days. We hope that other local chapters
will carry out their charted activities on which we should
on which we should be able to reflect in future issue of
TSI newsletter
The second world tribology conference was held in vienna
durin 3rd -7th Sept 2001. The lone Indian participant,
shri N.M Dube's observation about strong Japanese presence
in the conference is noteworthy because their commitment
to research in tribology in recent times is well known.
These international conference are the windows to peep in,
to capture the latest happenings in the research and to
further build on. We sincerly hope that our industry,
especially the corporate sector, will encourage
participant in such event. This year we really missed
ICIT-2001 in the wake of the Sep 11, 2001 event in U.S.
Neverthless, it is hearting to note that ICIT-2001 will
now take place on 8-11 April 2001 at Jamshedpur and we
look forward for exciting time together.
In this second issue of re-launched TSI Newsletter, we are
reproducing aletter from one of the reader. it is a
welcome sign. Please believe me: If there are listener,
story teller will always be around.
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Dr.
G. K Sharma |
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| Eminent
Tribologists : Shri
C. Mishra, TATA Steel, Jamshedpur |
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Shri C. Mishra is presently the Head of Mechanical Technology Division at Tata Steel,
Jamshedpur. After obtaining B.Tech. degree in Mechanical Engineering, he did 12 months, research work at I IT, Kharagpur in Tribology and Lubrication Engineering. At various stages of his career he also took short
term courses in Polymer Technology, Material Science, Physical Metallurgy, Computer Programming, Machine Dynamics and
Tribology.
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He has put in about 35 years service in Tata Steel. His areas of interest have been related to Tribology in hydraulics, conveyer belts, wire rope, rubber and polymer products, surface engineering etc. He took special interest in mechanical maintenance of steel plant equipment. He has created a Tribology Work Bench, a unique system that helps to solve the maintenance problems through analytical and condition monitoring based approaches. This has resulted in significant improvement in equipment reliability and reduction in maintenance cost. He has also created a condition monitoring centre in Tata Steel which has state-of-the-art techniques of vibration analysis,
thermography, ultrasonic testing, wear debris analysis, spot hardness technique, shock pulse analysis, particulate count etc. and softwares like Oil View and Motor View for condition monitoring of plant equipment. He has introduced in Tata Steel the process of optimization technique in maintenance practices for cost effective maintenance.
Shri Mishra has published several papers in Tata Search and other national and international journals. Four of his papers have received awards. He has organized many national and international seminars in
Jamshedpur. He is the Organising Secretary of the International Conference on Industrial Tribology being organized by TATA Steel under the aegis of Tribology Society of India
(TSI) at Jamshedpur during 8th to 11th April 2002.
Shri C. Mishra is the recipient of Visveshvarayya Gold Medal, an award instituted by Institution of Engineers (India), in the year 1992.
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| Technical
Update: NANO
TRIBOLOGY |
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Professor S. K. Biswas, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
Historically a unique problem has troubled tribologists for generations; predictions and designs are based on continuum and scale independent phenomenon. While tribological interactions often occur in very small scales and volumes, our observations are related to large-scale dimensions and volumes. For example, the junction growth model of Tabor is really a very small volume phenomenon at the asperity level involving molecular level interactions. As the phenomenon and the related small volume deformations were impossible to be observed directly, the model which is supposed to provide a phenomenological view of adhesive wear and friction was based on continuum plasticity theory. The situation has changed dramatically in the last ten years. With a virtual revolution in electronics and materials technology, we are able to make reliable measurements down to nano and pico metric levels. This advance coupled with the giant strides in non-continuum modeling at the molecular level has opened up a new world of phenomenon, properties and mechanics. This enables fresh look at old problems such as lubrication and hardness while it brings in new approaches to design of materials and components for tribological applications. The problems of nano wear in magnetic storage disc has now been handled successfully using the tools of nano tribology. To look into the immediate future, the problems of ultra thin tribological coatings and designer molecules for specific applications look solvable within the framework of nano tribology. One of the most interesting aspects of nano tribology is that the traditional separation between science and engineering has disappeared. Today, for example, to understand boundary lubrication mechanism we use a whole host of techniques such as Four Ball Tester, Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy, Atomic Force and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy, TOF-SIMS, Small Angle X-ray as well as more conventional techniques of NMR and light scattering, all coupled and linked together by abinitio and molecular dynamic calculations. The techniques and instruments are no longer confined to academic research laboratories but have started to be used increasingly by industrial R&D and production organizations. Another major development, which has become possible via nano tribology is the design of new smart materials and their fabrication.
It is now possible to alter surface properties not only using conventional surface engineering techniques but also by atom-by-atom manipulation of the zone of interest and specific application. The latter is of special relevance to a new generation of machines known as MEMS and NEMS. The scale of the devices is often hundreds of micrometers and the problems of stick slip, adhesion and lubrication at the nano scale have now appeared as major challenges to nano tribology. Here we are not just investigating tribological phenomenon at a nano scale but looking for nano tribological solutions, which can make these machines efficient and functional.
Nano tribology in short has brought the scale of interest, familiar in physics and chemistry, to the level of engineering phenomena in this new framework are being investigated while new solutions are being found.
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| Local
Chapter Activities: |
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Inauguration
of National Seminar on Tribology at Pune
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1. Pune chapter:
Two-Day Seminar on Industrial Tribology held on 27th and 28th September, 2001
Second National Seminar on Industrial Tribology was jointly organised by TSI Pune Chapter and Arkey Conference Service Cell,
Pune. It was co-sponsored by Indian Institute of Metals, Pune Chapter and The Institution of Engineers, Pune local
Centre.
Dr. A. K.
Bhatnagar, President TSI and Director, IndianOil R and D
Centre, Faridabad, inaugurated a well-attended seminar. He delivered an excellent thought provoking keynote speech in which he outlined the development of science of tribology over the last 150 years. He also highlighted the recent advances made in the areas of lubricants, bearing materials and surface engineering, and thermal treatment. He further elaborated the substantial contribution made by Indianoil R & D Centre in the field of lubricants and greases. He cited a novel product by
Indianoil, the Titanium Complex Grease, a world-class invention. He further mentioned the activities of TSI inpropagating the science of
Tribology. However, one area of propagation which is very much neglected in our country is the studies of Tribology at the college level, observed Dr.
Bhatnagar. Only handful of institutions are having courses specifically designed to study Tribology as a subject. TSI is making efforts towards this. He envisaged a centre for advanced Tribological Studies in the country in near future.
Finally, he appreciated efforts of local chapter of Pune for taking the initiative to organise this seminar in association with Arkey Conference Service Cell,
Pune. He also wished the seminar a great success.
A total of 14 technical papers were presented during the seminar and over forty delegates participated and took active part in the technical discussions .
Dr. Sudhir Rashingkar, Honorary Secretary ,TSI Pune Regional Chapter chaired valedictory function in the afternoon of 28th September 2001.
He also reported about the deliberation of executive committee meeting of TSI held on the previous day at
Pune. |
2. Bhopal chapter:
The Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) of TST Bhopal Chapter was held on August 10, 2001 in the Conference Hall of the Regional Research Laboratory, Bhopal
(RRL).
Dr. A. H. Yegneswaran, President, TSI Bhopal Chapter, while welcoming the participants expressed his satisfaction to note that as per the recommendations of the last
AGM, the local chapters of national societies presently operating from
RRL, Bhopal, i.e., IIM, MRSI & TSI have clubbed their activities for better response from members. This has enabled the societies to reach out to a wider cross section of professionals. It has also resulted in widening the activities of the
TSI, Bhopal Chapter through establishing wider contact with academic institutions and industries personnel who are not members of the society. He opined that the number of members need to be increased and efforts should be made in this direction. Dr. Yegneswaran also expressed satisfaction on the activities carried out by the local chapter.
Dr. Rupa Dasgupta, Secretary of the local chapter, welcomed Dr. N.
Ramakrishnan, Director, Regional Research Laboratory, Bhopal who made it convenient to attend the AGM in spite of his busy schedule. She welcomed the members of the AGM , especially the new members of the chapter for showing interest in the activities of the chapter.
Dr. Rupa Dasgupta elaborated upon the activities of the local chapter since the last
AGM.
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