The Laboratory of Tribology and Materials (LTM) was created in the 1960s, but it was only from 1984 onwards that it began to act significantly in research and development activities. extension, establishing itself as a service provider to the community and a research center at the Federal University of Uberlândia. Currently, he is responsible for the Materials-Tribology research line of the Mechanical Engineering Post-Graduate course (Master's and Doctorate), classified as level 7 by CAPES.
The natural evolution of the group resulted in the initial choice of the study of wear by abrasive particles as the main line of its research activities, provision of services and postgraduate teaching. An intense research work in the area of ​​abrasive wear was and still has been developed, both with regard to its negative aspect (system degradation and material optimization) and its positive aspect (machining of fragile materials). It is also noteworthy that, given the non-availability in the national and international market, the vast majority of the laboratory infrastructure for the study of abrasive wear was the object of development, design and construction in the LTM itself.
In sequence, intense investigations were initiated by the group in the areas of sliding wear, both dry and lubricated. Today, the group has expanded its field of activity to a broader interaction between tribology and materials science, with special emphasis being placed on tribology of coatings and/or surface modifications. The growing development of the LTM-UFU has made it a national and international reference in the field of tribology.
One of the great drivers of LTM's success was the vision, since its inception, of the importance of effective and efficient cooperation with the productive sector. Today, much of the research carried out within the LTM is intended to investigate tribological challenges present in large companies in the country. These cooperations, in addition to generating important foreign exchange for the country, through the effective reduction of economic losses associated with friction and wear and tear present in these companies, generate fundamental knowledge of great value for research in tribology, as evidenced by the number and quality of group publications.

Participating teachers:
Prof. José Daniel Biasoli de Mello, PhD – Lattes http://lattes.cnpq.br/1696467778255755
Telephones: +55 (34)3239 4409/ +55 (34)3239 4186
email: ltm-demello@ufu.br

Prof. Dr. Washington Martins da Silva Jr. – Lattes http://lattes.cnpq.br/2993173987424895
Telephones: +55 (34) 3239 4186
email: washington.martins@gmail.com; washington.martins@ufu.br;

Contact
TRIBOLOGY AND MATERIALS LABORATORY

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Federal University of Uberlândia
Av. João Naves de Ávila, 2121 - B. Santa Monica
Block 5K - Santa Monica Campus
38400-902 Uberlândia / MG
Phone: 55 (0xx34) 3239-4186
Fax: 55 (0xx34) 3239-4273