Tribology/Manufacturing Laboratory

The Tribology/Manufacturing Laboratory in Fitzpatrick Hall is well-equipped to investigate industrially relevant problems associated with friction, wear, and lubrication. A 60-ton mechanical power press is used to study tribocharacteristics and formability of new materials and coatings in ironing, drawing, sheet metal forming, and forging at strain rates typical of engineering applications. Recent research has emphasized the mechanisms of emulsion lubrication and mechanics of surface evolution in manufacturing processes.

The Metrology Laboratory, a part of the Tribology/Manufacturing and Solid Mechanics Laboratory has the capability of performing hardness testing, surface profilometry, microscopy and dimensional measurement using a variety of precision instruments, including micrometers, an optical comparator, and numerous gages.

Direct comments, questions, and corrections to amedept@nd.edu