Experimental study on the tribological behavior of ceramic disks for application in mixer taps under different lubrication conditions

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Graphical Abstract.

In the recently published article, which resulted from the great cooperation of KTmfk with the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile as well as with Optimol Instruments Prüftechnik GmbH and Carl Bechem GmbH, a topic on everyday tribology is examined in more detail. As part of a student thesis, Marlene Ziegler (KTmfk) investigated the reliable function as well as the haptics of water taps on a tribological level. Thereby, it was shown that friction and wear can behave in a contrasting way, whereby one grease might lead to low friction, that is, an easy-going movability of the water tap but to increased wear losses. The wear, in turn, is an indicator for the usability and service life which cannot be explained from friction alone. Thereby, the viscosity of the base oil, the grease consistency and additives were identified as relevant grease formulation parameters to allow for fluid film (re-)formation and removal of wear particles. These results have now been published to the renowned journal Industrial Lubrication and Tribology. Enjoy reading and exploring the different facets of tribology! Link: click me!