21st International Tribology Colloquium Esslingen David Wright, UKLA Director General
The 21st International Tribology Colloquium held at the Technical Academy, Esslingen in January brought together the latest academic research in tribology, friction and lubrication with over 500 delegates from research institutes, consultancies, industrial companies and OEMs.
The event began with a tribute to Peter Jost, the founding father of modern day tribology. Dr Lindemann from Fuchs followed with a presentation on the future of the lubricants industry where the impact of the electrification of vehicles will not only affect lubricants required within vehicles but also those involved in the production of vehicle components.
Michael Anderson, President of STLE followed with a presentation on how tribology can save the world. Highlights of the first day also included a presentation on e-gas as a move towards carbon neutrality by
T.Garbe of Volkswagen.
The second day began with a session on atomistic tribosimulation by M Moseler from the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics and Materials. He was followed by
J.Seabra from INEGI who spoke about gear lubrication and the session ended with a presentation from J.Wong of Imperial College on lubricant flow in elastohydrodynamic contacts.
The final day began with a comprehensive presentation from A Fischer on the partition of friction and wear in ultra-mild sliding wear under boundary lubrication. This was followed by N Espallargas from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology who talked about the surface effects on friction and wear of stainless steel. The final speaker of the day was M Pfadt from Kluber who gave a presentation on hydro-lubrication. This event has built a solid reputation over many years for providing a forum for the latest thinking on tribology, friction and lubrication and this year was no exception.
Summary of ICIS world base oils 2018 Vicky Ellis
Against a backdrop of declining lubricant demand, the threat posed by the electrification of vehicles and a mature and consolidating European market, the 22nd ICIS World Base Oils & Lubricants conference held in London this February attracted a record turnout of just under seven hundred to debate these and other key issues facing the sector.
The theme of the conference was modelling the future and dealing with declining lubricant demand. On day one the major market challenges of ‘electrification’ and ‘digitalisation’ were discussed alongside Europe’s tougher fuel standards, the rising popularity of SUVs and the disruption of traditional relationships between suppliers, blenders and customers by digital-led third parties.
The impact on the market may not be just around the corner as LMC’s Al Bedwell’s forecast that there will “not be a complete flip” to all-electric, even by 2040, with Hybrids positioned to be a bridge to a new electrified automotive world.
Neste’s Chris Castanen talked about the changing base oils’ landscape, from Group II’s growing capacity displacing Group I, and argued for Group III’s role and approvals’ appeal for blenders with limited tank space.
Rounding off the day, a panel of Lubrizol, Morris Lubricants, Chemlube and Neste debated the difference between OEM ‘approved’ versus non-approved Group III product.
Day two began with a focus on the challenge posed by rapidly changing specifications. Frustration at the pace of engine testing emerged, affecting the rollout of the ILSAC GF-6 specification. Lubrizol’s Gabe Rhoads put it neatly, saying it is “unacceptable to trail” OEMs’ needs.
Chevron Oronite’s Jasper Smets talked about the growing PAO market and Group III. Finally, Entoro’s Mark McHugh summed up this stable industry’s “paradox.” The “volatility, change and disruption” reveals a lot going on beneath the surface.
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.144 APRIL 2018 53
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