Lube-Tech PUBLISHED BY LUBE: THE EUROPEAN LUBRICANTS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE
Conclusion Clarifying the distinction between wear, wear parts and wear-out parts is not merely a matter of terminology, but a prerequisite for consistent understanding across engineering, maintenance and regulatory contexts. As outlined, the current lack of uniform definitions can lead to ambiguity, particularly as considerations of sustainability, durability and circularity become more prominent.
Establishing clearer conceptual boundaries provides a more robust framework for product design, maintenance planning and replacement strategies. In doing so, it supports enhanced durability, more effective value retention processes and alignment with evolving regulatory initiatives, including requirements related to repairability and resource efficiency.
Looking forward, the differentiation between wear-related concepts will become increasingly relevant as industries seek to extend service life, reduce material consumption and minimise environmental impact. Within this context, tribology and lubrication assume a broader role, contributing not only to technical performance but also to the achievement of sustainability objectives.
A shared and technically precise understanding of these terms therefore forms a necessary foundation for improved product stewardship, more efficient maintenance practices and the continued transition towards a resource-conscious industrial framework.
Bibliography [1] J. D. Russell and N. Z. Nasr, Value-retained vs. impacts avoided: the differentiated contributions of remanufacturing, refurbishment, repair, and reuse within a circular economy, Journal of Remanufacturing (2023) 13:25–51, https://doi. org/10.1007/s13243-022-00119-4
[2]
https://www.din.de/en/wdc-proj:din21:390902775 [3] Remanufacturing Terminology - Remanufacturing
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Term Guideline, 06.03.2012, Automotive Parts Remanufac¬tu¬rers Association, APRA Europe AISBL, Brussels
[4] Wear part catalogue, Federation of the German Construction Industry, March 2008, D-10785 Berlin, Germany,
https://archiv2007.bgl-online. info/downloads/68044/Verschleissteile- Katalog-Vorspann.pdf
[5] J. Gänsheimer, Dictionary of Lubrication Engineering, 1999, WILEY, ISBN 3-527-29863-0
[6] Wear parts - The distinction between the terms ‘spare part’, ‘wear part’ and ‘wear-out part’ in the context of ‘obsolescence’, , White paper of the German Society for Tribology e.V., December 2025,
https://www.gft-ev.de/fileadmin/ Statische_Seiten/Publikationen/02%20 Positionspapiere/02%20GfT-Positionspapier_ Verschleissteil/GfT-Positionpaper_The_Terms_ Wear-Wear-Part-Obsolescence.pdf
About the Authors Dr. Mathias Woydt is managing partner of MATRILUB Materials, Tribology, Lubrication, with more than 39 years of experience in R&D and Product development with more than 390 reviewed publications and 52 priority patents filed. STLE Fellow, recipient of eagle award from ASTM and board member of the German Society for Tribology. He can be reached at
m.woydt@matrilub.de
Rolf Luther is former Head of Advanced Develop- ment at FUCHS Schmierstoffe GmbH and currently serves as President of the German Society for Tribol- ogy e.V.. A recognised specialist in tribology and lubrication technology, he has contributed extensively to research and industrial practice in wear protection.
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