ESDU 00005:2009

PREFACE TO TRIBOLOGY SERIES

The data concerning tribology, in common with those relating to
many other phenomena of concern to engineers in industry, are
widely scattered and when located are of variable quality and
relevance to industrial application. Engineering designers do not,
generally speaking, have the facilities or time required to collect
and evaluate all the data available which may be applicable.
However they require to view designs not against some locally
derived data, but against what can be demonstrated to be the best
data and they need to know that these data are up-to-date and
vouched for by a qualified cross-section of the engineering and
scientific community. It is ESDU's purpose to provide data of this
nature relating to tribology as in many other fields. ESDU has
prepared this information for both the designer and the designer's
customer and, by serving the needs of many, accomplishes the task
at much lower cost than could apply to the individual performing
alone.

A qualified staff, with the assistance of many individuals and
establishments throughout the world in research, industry and
teaching, collects and evaluates the existing data. The staff
discards that which is irrelevant or unreliable, correlating and
distilling what remains into an authoritative working tool for
engineering application. Throughout, their work is guided and
monitored by expert groups and ad hoc working parties. ESDU Data
Items are organised in Series. This Series on Tribology has been
compiled from Data Items prepared up to 1969, under the guidance of
the I. Mech. E. Bearings and Lubrication Committee or
Sub-committees or Working Parties appointed by that Committee. The
individuals responsible for the presentation of each Item are
listed on the inside of the covers in each case. Work on Data Items
for the Tribology Series, apart from necessary amendments, was
suspended between 1969 and 1973.