Tribology (derived from the Greek tribein or tribos meaning rubbing) is the science of friction, wear, and lubrication. Although the use of lubricants is an old as mankind, scientific focus on lubricants and lubrication technology is relatively new. The term tribology was first introduced in 1966 and has been globally to describe this far reaching field of activity since 1985. Even though efforts had been made since the 16th century to describe the whole phenomenon of friction scientifically (Leonardo da Vinci, Amontons, and Coulombs) the work always concentrated on single aspects and lubricants were not considered. Some research work performed up to early nineteen seventies totally ignored the chemical processes which take place in lubricated friction processes.

Tribology, with all its facets, is only sporadically researched. Fundamental scientific tribological research takes place at universities which have engineering or materials – testing departments. Naturally, lubricants manufactures also perform research. The advantage of tribological research by engineering departments is the dominant focus on application engineering. The most common disadvantage is the lack of interdisciplinary links to other fields of expertise. Joint research projects which combine the disciplines of engineering, materials, chemistry, health and safety and the work conducted by lubricant manufactures themselves therefore offer best prospects of practical results.

The efforts to increase the life of lubricants are not based on the wish to reduce lubricant costs.Much more important is the reduction of services and maintenance costs which results from periodic oil changing or regreasing.A further incentive to reduce consumption is the ever increasing cost of disposal or recycling of used lubricant.But this again creates new demand on lubricants because reduced leakage looses means less topping up and less refreshing of the used oil.The new oil must therfore display good aging stability.