Tribology and Advanced Materials in Fluid Power Technology

Tribological phenomena such as friction, wear, and lubrication significantly affect the efficiency, reliability, and service life of hydraulic components. We research the behavior of contacts in valves, pumps, seals, and other fluid power systems. We pay special attention to developing material pairs for use in mineral oils, water, and environmentally friendly lubricants. Our research includes materials, surface treatments, and protective coatings for reducing wear and energy losses. We also study the influence of wear particles, polymer composites, and advanced materials on the operation of hydraulic systems, and we contribute to the development of sustainable and energy-efficient solutions in fluid power technology.

 

Highlighted Achievements

Green Tribology               

Development of sustainable tribological solutions using environmentally friendly lubricants and new materials.

Internationally Recognized Publications

The research group publishes results in leading journals in the fields of tribology, materials, and fluid power technology.

Supporting the Development of Water Hydraulics

Development of material pairs and contact surfaces that enable the reliable operation of water-hydraulic components.

 

Key Activities

Tribology of Hydraulic Valves

 

Seals and Sliding Contacts

Material Pairs for Water Hydraulics

Polymer Composites

 

Influence of Wear Particles

 

Researchers

and other laboratory collaborators as part of research projects.

Active Projects

CODE-GM (2022–2025)

Designing contacts at the nanoscale for high-performance, energy-efficient, and lightweight components for green mobility

Raziskava je bila sestavljena iz eksperimentalnega in numeričnega dela. Meritve so bile opravljene pri dveh tlakih, pri dveh hitrostih pomikanja batnice in tudi pri dveh hidravličnih kapljevinah - hidravlično olje in voda.

TriboADAM

Development of new materials, geometries, and manufacturing processes to improve the tribological properties of components.

Selected Publications

Glycerol Aqueous Solutions for the Enhanced Tribological Behaviour of Polymer Composites Sliding Against Steel

Sliding Properties of Anodized Aluminium Alloy Tested in Water and Hydraulic Oil

Wear of Hydraulic Pump with Real Particles and Medium Test Dust

Performance of Polymer Composites Lubricated with Glycerol and Water as Green Lubricants

Green Tribology for the Sustainable Engineering of the Future

Link to all publications in this area

Key Topics for Theses

Selected Topics

  • Tribological properties of modern materials
  • Valves, seals, and sliding contacts
  • Wear of hydraulic pumps and components
  • Polymer materials for fluid power applications
  • Wear diagnostics and the influence of particles
  • Water hydraulics and sustainable material pairs

Link to the list of all theses