Welcome to the 21st International Conference on Wear of Materials, which will take place in California, USA from the 26-30 March 2017.

The conference will focus on both the fundamental and applied aspects of wear and friction of materials at the macro-, micro-, and nano-scale. It will address the understanding of tribological phenomena; particularly the progression in recent decades. Special sessions will concentrate on wear of tools and tooling materials, hot and cold erosion (droplet, solid and cavity-based erosion), wear of brake/frictional materials, marine wear systems, role of third bodies during wear, and surface texturing for wear reduction.

The 21st International Conference on Wear of Materials will provide a unique international forum for researchers and practicing engineers from different disciplines to interact and exchange their latest understandings.

Kenneth C. Ludema Honorary Symposium
We are delighted to announce that a special symposium honoring the International Wear of Materials Conference co-founder, Professor Ken Ludema, will take place during the 21^st International Wear of Materials Conference. This year’s event marks the 40^th anniversary of the conference that Ken chaired in 1977.

Confirmed speakers to date include:
Vern Wedeven (Wedeven Associates)
Oyelayo Ajayi (Argonne National Laboratory)
Somuri Prasad (Sandia National Laboratory)

Conference Topics:

Abstract Submission Deadline: 27 May 2016
Oral and poster abstracts are now invited on the following topics. They should be submitted using the online abstract submission system.

• Sliding Wear
• Fretting Wear
• Impact Wear
• Abrasive Wear
• Elevated Temperature Wear
• Lubricated Wear
• Thick and Thin Coatings
• Wheel/Rail Contact
• Modeling and Simulation
• Biotribology – hard materials
• Biotribology – soft materials

• Polymers and PMCs
• Ceramics and CMCs
• Metals and MMCs
• Erosion and Erosion-Corrosion
• Wear Testing and Monitoring
• Friction Materials including Brakes
• Wear of Tools and Tooling Materials
• Role of Third Bodies during Wear
• Surface Texturing
• Marine Wear Systems
• Others (not listed above)

Three types of presentations are invited:

(1) full-length research-quality papers that involve materials aspects of wear and wear analysis based on carefully-designed experiments, modeling and understanding wear mechanisms, surface damage characterization, and novel materials and coatings for friction and wear mitigation
(2) case studies that describe effective engineering solutions to practical wear problems or the development of useful, new wear testing methods
(3) engaging posters that address a specific tribological topic that has academic or industrial relevance to WOM attendees and the greater tribology community.

Tutorial Session: Fundamentals of Wear and Wear Testing

26 March 2017

The tutorial session, which is held on the afternoon before the conference, has the aim of providing a fundamental overview of wear and wear testing. It is designed to provide a refresher course for those with some experience of tribology, and also covers the basics for those new to the field.