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Wear is a natural process of gradual change and deterioration of the physical, mechanical, and operational properties of materials, products, equipment, or structures due to their use over time. Wear is observed everywhere, from machine and mechanism parts to road surfaces and construction structures.

The basis of wear lies in various interaction mechanisms, including friction, corrosion, fatigue, erosion, and chemical effects, which cause gradual degradation or deformation of materials. This process is accompanied by a decrease in the original functionality, strength, and precision of components, which sooner or later requires repair, replacement, or maintenance.

Wear can be classified according to the type of interaction: contact wear, which occurs when surfaces are in friction; corrosive wear, associated with chemical or electrochemical degradation; fatigue wear, manifesting as microcracks under cyclic loads; abrasive wear, where the material is worn away by hard particles, and several other types. Each of these has its own characteristics and distinctive features.

The presence of wear is noticeable in various fields: in mechanical engineering, transportation and construction industries, energy sector, industrial production, and in household appliances and tools. Monitoring and accounting for wear is important for ensuring safety, improving operational efficiency, and increasing the service life of products.

Wear manifests at the microscopic level as changes to the surface, the formation of scratches, cracks, and microdamages, and at the macroscopic level as changes in geometry, reduction in precision, the appearance of gaps or play, and deterioration of working characteristics. Time, operating conditions, load, and material directly affect the rate and extent of wear.

In technical and production contexts, the study of wear includes diagnostics, monitoring, the use of wear-resistant materials and processing methods, as well as the development of engineering solutions to minimize its consequences. This not only enhances the reliability of equipment but also optimizes repair and operational costs.

Wear

Open book with blank pages against a worn wall

Open Book Against an Old Wall

Old rusty model of a van with noticeable signs of wear

Rusty Van with Wear and Tear