Materials Characterisation

Containing selected papers on Materials Characterisation this volume presents the latest research in the field. Material and contact characterisation is a rapidly advancing field that requires the application of a combination of numerical and experimental methods. Contributions come from both industry and research communities using computational methods and performing experiments. Demand for high quality production from both industry and consumers has led to rapid developments in materials science and engineering. Current research is focussed on modification technologies that can increase the surface durability of materials. The characteristics of the system reveal which surface engineering methods should be chosen and as a consequence it is essential to study the combination of surface treatment and contact mechanics. The accurate characterisation of the physical and chemical properties of materials requires the application of both experimental techniques and computer simulation methods in order to gain a correct analysis. A very wide range of materials, starting with metals through polymers and semiconductors to composites, necessitates a whole spectrum of characteristic experimental techniques and research methods.