A Comprehensive Review of Wear Mechanisms and Mitigation Strategies for Tribological Systems

Abrasive wear is characterized by material loss, while adhesive wear results from high stresses inducing material transfer. Corrosion wear arises from chemical reactions, whereas erosive wear occurs due to particle impact. Fatigue wear, including contact fatigue, is attributed to cyclic stress and misalignment. Effective wear mitigation strategies, such as material selection, surface texturing, and lubrication optimization, are explored. Additionally, the influence of surface roughness and structural integrity on wear rates is highlighted. This review comprehensively examines the primary wear mechanisms in tribological systems, including abrasion, adhesion, erosion, corrosion, and fatigue. The novelty of this review lies in integrating recent advancements in wear-resistant materials, nanostructured coatings, and smart lubrication techniques. Emerging trends and challenges, including the role of artificial intelligence in predictive maintenance and sustainable tribological solutions, are also discussed, providing insights into future research directions.