This paper discusses many aspects of wear testing relevant to ceramic materials. It starts with a description of those properties of ceramics that are of particular importance for tribological performance, and then discusses the rationale that underlies wear testing. Some results of the wear of ceramics are discussed, with a particular emphasis on the importance of tribochemical behaviour and on the effect of test machine dynamics. After also discussing surface examination techniques and the pre-standardization work that has been carried out in the friction and wear testing area, the paper concludes with a discussion of future priorities in tribological testing.
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