Abrasion is the specific process of surface material removal due to friction, sliding, or impact, often causing scratches or grooves, as seen in gears or cutting tools.
Wear is a broader term for progressive material loss from a surface due to various mechanisms, including abrasion, adhesion, fatigue, or corrosion, affecting components like bearings or pistons. Abrasion is a subset of Wear, focusing on mechanical scraping, while wear encompasses additional processes like material transfer or pitting.
Abrasion is mitigated by improving surface hardness or lubrication, whereas Wear requires comprehensive strategies addressing multiple degradation types.
In mechanical engineering, Abrasion impacts surface quality, while Wear affects overall component lifespan. Both are critical in design, but Wear demands a wider range of solutions for system reliability.
