Editorial
I would like to remind potential contributors to check that they use my new address as shown inside the front cover. Of course my e-mail address remains unchanged.
Again in this issue, we have tried to appeal to differing areas of interest.
Rajesh C. Shah and M. V. Bhat present their mathematical analysis of a ferrofluid lubricated slider bearing. This enables mathematical expressions for various bearing characteristics to be obtained.
Professor Yilbas and colleagues from KFUPM, Saudi Arabia, describe their work on looking at the wear properties of a punch with sheared edges. Coating of metal working punches is becoming more common to improve tool life. This work provides a practical examination of one type of coating and how it performs under controlled operating conditions.
Hakan Kaleli and Ertugrul Durak investigate the effect of boron on engine journal bearings. This is especially an interesting work as engine builders want to eliminate some of the traditional elements from engine oils to enhance the life of emission control equipment. It is possible that boron could be a potential replacement component in future engine oils so the results obtained by these workers will be of widespread interest.
G. Petropoulos and C. Pandazaras of the University of Thessaly, Greece,describe their work in relating profile lengths to surface roughness in the turning of carbon steels. This again seems to be a valuable piece of work that should be followed up by others interested in this subject both from a practical, experimental and mathematical modelling point of view.
Finally, in this issue from Malaysia, M. A. Maleque, H. H. Masjuki and S. M. Sapuan report on vegetable-based additives. They have in fact produced a very useful reference tool describing the current position with these types of additives whose importance is becoming widely recognised.
We will, of course, be pleased to hear from readers with any comments on the work presented and welcome reports on your work for inclusion in a future issue.
John Taylor
