introduction to tribology 36/3: bharat bhushan

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Tribology International 36 (2003) 559–560 www.elsevier.com/locate/triboint Book reviews Introduction to Tribology 36/3 Bharat Bhushan The preface to Introduction to Tribology states that it is a condensed version of a previous book written by Professor Bhushan (Principles and Applications of Tribology) and that it is intended for undergraduate courses and active research workers in the field. At first sight, the book is not obviously condensed given that it is more than 700 pages in length. This is partly a result of the relatively large number subjects that are covered. However, in this sense it is over-ambitious with a peculi- arly uneven coverage such that many important topics are given a rather superficial treatment. For example, 10 pages are devoted to boundary lubrication and 6 to poly- mer friction compared with 110 pages for fluid film lubrication. The inclusion of questions is always appreci- ated in texts aimed at the undergraduate level. Unfortu- nately, in this book they generally involve the trivial evaluation of formulae and thus do not lead to a deeper understanding of a particular topic. It is disappointing that a scientist of the author’s emi- nence did not attempt a more critical appraisal of the field particularly those aspects in which he has under- taken fundamental research. There have been consider- able advances in molecular tribology during the last dec- ade, a growing appreciation of the inter-relationships between tribological phenomena at the different length scales and an increasing range of ‘high- tech’ industrial applications of tribology such as in MEMs. It is probable that a publication in these areas would have been better received. As it is, Introduction to Tribology is an uneasy mix of some nano/micro tribology and a predominance of engineering tribology, which adds little to existing engineering publications. Overall, the book is well pro- duced but the majority of the diagrams are copied from other books and papers, some of which are not appropri- ately acknowledged. Moreover, it is arguable that the author has been overgenerous in referencing his own work rather than opting for source material. In summary, some people may regard the monograph as a useful addition to the standard works on tribology but this reviewer is unable to provide a strong recommendation. Corresponding author: Tel.: +44 151 641 3336; fax: +44 151 641 1839. M.J. Adams , Unilever Research, Port Sunlight Laboratory, Quarry Road, East Bebington, Wirral, L63 3JW, UK E-mail address: [email protected] doi:10.1016/S0301-679X(02)00183-4 Modern Tribology Handbook Vol. 1-Principles of Tribology, Vol. 2- Materials, Coat- ing, and Industrial Applications, Editor-in-Chief: Bharat Bhushan, CRC Press 2001 It has been for some time that books on tribology, a name representing a vast area of science and technology, tend to be dealing with highly specialised and trendy topics. The book, Modern Tribology Handbook, defies the current trends. Edited by Bharat Bushan, who was aided by sixty-seven contributors assembled from all over the world presenting their expert knowledge and understand- ing of tribology in two volumes and on 1690 pages, it is truly a monumental publication. As the number of contributors considerably exceeds the number of chap- ters, it is not surprising that the book is somehow lacking coherence, style and a leading theme or a mission. The first impression of the book is the vast amount of infor- mation on every conceivable topic lumped together. Therefore, there are a variety of styles in which the material is presented, interpreted and discussed. The treatment of topics is not uniform, with chapters of really first class quality and chapters, which, well, could have been better prepared. The very size of the Modern Tribology Handbook reflects the extent to which the subject has developed since the word “tribology” was introduced in 1966 by the Jost Report. While much progress has been recorded in recent dec- ades and several research workers, some of whom are contributors of chapters in these two volumes, have revealed new facets of the subject and generated novel data, it is as well to remember that the major users of tribological knowledge are the engineers who design, manufacture, and operate machinery. All of them who find value in handbooks will certainly welcome the addition of this compendium of tribological knowledge and data.

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Page 1: Introduction to Tribology 36/3: Bharat Bhushan

Tribology International 36 (2003) 559–560www.elsevier.com/locate/triboint

Book reviews

Introduction to Tribology 36/3Bharat Bhushan

The preface to Introduction to Tribology states that itis a condensed version of a previous book written byProfessor Bhushan (Principles and Applications ofTribology) and that it is intended for undergraduatecourses and active research workers in the field. At firstsight, the book is not obviously condensed given that itis more than 700 pages in length. This is partly a resultof the relatively large number subjects that are covered.However, in this sense it is over-ambitious with a peculi-arly uneven coverage such that many important topicsare given a rather superficial treatment. For example, 10pages are devoted to boundary lubrication and 6 to poly-mer friction compared with 110 pages for fluid filmlubrication. The inclusion of questions is always appreci-ated in texts aimed at the undergraduate level. Unfortu-nately, in this book they generally involve the trivialevaluation of formulae and thus do not lead to a deeperunderstanding of a particular topic.

It is disappointing that a scientist of the author’s emi-nence did not attempt a more critical appraisal of thefield particularly those aspects in which he has under-taken fundamental research. There have been consider-able advances in molecular tribology during the last dec-ade, a growing appreciation of the inter-relationshipsbetween tribological phenomena at the different lengthscales and an increasing range of ‘high- tech’ industrialapplications of tribology such as in MEMs. It is probablethat a publication in these areas would have been betterreceived. As it is, Introduction to Tribology is an uneasymix of some nano/micro tribology and a predominanceof engineering tribology, which adds little to existingengineering publications. Overall, the book is well pro-duced but the majority of the diagrams are copied fromother books and papers, some of which are not appropri-ately acknowledged. Moreover, it is arguable that theauthor has been overgenerous in referencing his ownwork rather than opting for source material. In summary,some people may regard the monograph as a usefuladdition to the standard works on tribology but thisreviewer is unable to provide a strong recommendation.

∗ Corresponding author: Tel.:+44 151 641 3336; fax:+44 151641 1839.

M.J. Adams∗,Unilever Research, Port Sunlight Laboratory, Quarry

Road, East Bebington, Wirral, L63 3JW, UKE-mail address: [email protected]

doi:10.1016/S0301-679X(02)00183-4

Modern Tribology HandbookVol. 1-Principles of Tribology, Vol. 2- Materials, Coat-ing, and Industrial Applications, Editor-in-Chief: BharatBhushan, CRC Press 2001

It has been for some time that books on tribology, aname representing a vast area of science and technology,tend to be dealing with highly specialised and trendytopics.

The book, Modern Tribology Handbook, defies thecurrent trends. Edited by Bharat Bushan, who was aidedby sixty-seven contributors assembled from all over theworld presenting their expert knowledge and understand-ing of tribology in two volumes and on 1690 pages, itis truly a monumental publication. As the number ofcontributors considerably exceeds the number of chap-ters, it is not surprising that the book is somehow lackingcoherence, style and a leading theme or a mission. Thefirst impression of the book is the vast amount of infor-mation on every conceivable topic lumped together.Therefore, there are a variety of styles in which thematerial is presented, interpreted and discussed. Thetreatment of topics is not uniform, with chapters of reallyfirst class quality and chapters, which, well, could havebeen better prepared.

The very size of the Modern Tribology Handbookreflects the extent to which the subject has developedsince the word “tribology” was introduced in 1966 bythe Jost Report.

While much progress has been recorded in recent dec-ades and several research workers, some of whom arecontributors of chapters in these two volumes, haverevealed new facets of the subject and generated noveldata, it is as well to remember that the major users oftribological knowledge are the engineers who design,manufacture, and operate machinery. All of them whofind value in handbooks will certainly welcome theaddition of this compendium of tribological knowledgeand data.