The application of tribology is not just limited to mechanical components of engineering systems. As a matter of fact, the understanding of friction and wear can be applied to everyday life. One of the important fields is skin tribology, as human skin interacts with various surfaces of different materials. This paper focuses on the friction behavior of the skin when in contact with the fabric and other materials in relative motion. The excessive friction at the fabric-skin interface may lead to discomfort, blistering, chafing, and pressure ulcers especially in athletes who experience higher friction due to rapid movement for an extended period. Other than understanding the fabric properties, it is equally important to understand the structure and properties of the skin to evaluate its function and interaction with the different fabric materials. The identification of the contributing factors of skin friction can help to design suitable fabric materials. An overview of skin functions and the factors that affect the friction on the skin–textile material interface are presented in this review article.

Porous materials have recently attracted significant attention in the aerospace and biomedical fields for addressing issues related to friction and wear. Porous materials are beneficial in applications where continuous lubrication is not feasible or for components that operate under extreme conditions, such as high speeds, elevated temperatures, and heavy loads. The pores can serve as reservoirs for liquid lubricants, which are gradually released during the operation of the components. The tribological properties of these materials depend on their porosity, the lubricants used, and any additional additives incorporated into the porous materials. This review article provides insight into common fabrication techniques for porous materials and examines their tribological performance for all three classes of materials—polymers, metals, and ceramics. Additionally, it discusses design criteria for porous self-lubricating materials by highlighting the critical properties of both the substrate and lubricants.

The aim of this study was to develop a novel set of Al₂O₃-B₂O₃-CuO composites and evaluate their tribological performance at varying humidity (10-95% relative humidity) levels. First, the Al₂O₃-B₂O₃ composites were prepared using cold press sintering by varying the amount of B₂O₃ (5-20 wt.%). The results revealed that an increase in B₂O₃ content in the composites increased the amount of aluminum borate in-situ phase during sintering. The presence of the aluminum borate phase in the composite enhanced the hardness and wear resistance, whereas the humidity-sensitive alumina phase reduced friction at higher humidity levels. Next, CuO (5 wt.%) was added to the Al₂O₃-B₂O₃ composites to form Al₂O₃-B₂O₃-CuO composites. These composites showed increase in percentage relative density by 16-37 % and hardness by 1.2-1.9 times. Subsequently, the tribological performance was improved significantly. The underlying mechanism for improved wear resistance was discussed using the crystal-chemical approach and polarization theory to guide the design of these novel Al₂O₃-B₂O₃-CuO composites.