In recognition of his outstanding achievement in Tribology in particular his meritorious work in technology transfer of Tribology Knowledge to Industry.
Professor Wilfried Bartz was born in Zerbst, Germany. He received his MSc Eng Degree at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Hanover University in 1961, and in 1968 his PhD Eng from the same University. In 1981 he was appointed an Honorary Professor by the Science Ministry of the Federal State of Baden-Wurtenberg. On leaving academia he became a lubrication engineer in the Mineral Oil industry engaged primarily in the selection and application of lubricants and metal working fluids.
This led to his appointment as Head of Department of Lubrication Engineering and Tribology of the Institute of Petroleum Research in Hanover, where he was engaged in developing, testing and application of lubricants in developing test rigs and methods. In 1976 he became Scientific and Managing Director of the Technical Academy Esslingen (TAE).
He was also appointed Professor for Tribology at the Engineering College of Esslingen, the University of Stuttgart and the Technical University of Vienna. In addition he conducted courses at universities in China, Vietnam, Cuba, Egypt and the former USSR. In his classes about 500 students included tribology in their degree examination. In addition he supervised about 15 PhD students in Germany and abroad, many of whom had worked with him in his laboratories in Hanover and Ostfildern (Esslingen).
His research at Hanover, Esslingen and the University of Stuttgart covered the non-Newtonian behaviour of lubricants on a specially developed journal-bearing machine, including oil side, flow, friction, and temperature depending on load, speed, and bearing design. Further investigation of non-Newtonian lubricants dealt with the viscosity and flow behaviour of test and commercial oils, the rheological properties of which he investigated at different temperatures, pressures and shear rates, leading to the conclusion that hydrodynamic or elastohydrodynamic action of non-Newtonian lubricants was influenced by so-called “effective” viscosity in the contact zone.
In the field of gear lubrication his work on pitting and design led to the now accepted conclusion that additives played only a limited role to avoid pitting.
The outstanding influence of Professor Bartz in the development of tribology was his impact to familiarise the academic and industrial world with this field of technology. Soon after the definition of tribology in the 1966 Jost Report, he commenced his endeavours to increase the awareness and consciousness of all those involved with friction and wear problems, his activities being orientated towards the solution of problems by engineering and tribological methods.
At the Technical Academy in Esslingen he developed a series of about 50 courses covering almost the complete field of tribology, in which under his chairmanship about 200 lecturers from science and industry were involved. His achievement in technology transfer which made him world famous, included his biennial International “Colloquia Tribology”, known worldwide as the “Esslingen Conferences”, which averaged 250 papers and up to 800 participants from over 40 countries.
Professor Bartz is the author or co-author of more than 300 scientific and technological papers, published in Germany and overseas. In addition he presented more than 500 papers at a number of German and International conferences, gaining a world reputation. He is also the co-author of 6 books and editor of more than 20 books dealing with Tribology and Lubrication. He has published books on Gearing & Synthetic Lubricants, High Performance Functional Fluids, Engine Oils and Automotive Lubrication.
However, the most remarkable influence of Professor Bartz in the development of tribology was unquestionably his impact to familiarise the academic and industrial world with the technology and economics of tribology i.e. to bridge the tribological gap between the academic and industrial world.
Professor Bartz received many national and international honours amongst which were: in 1990 the highest German Tribology award: The Georg-Vogelpohl-Ehrenzeichen, in 1996 by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany: the Distinguished Service Cross. In 2001 by the Society of Tribologists & Lubrication Engineers (USA) its highest honour: the International Award, and in the same year, from the Federal President of the Republic of Austria: the Cross of Merit for Science and Art, 1st Class of the Austrian Republic.
Professor Bartz is a most distinguished and accomplished tribologist. His achievements in science, technology, education, dissemination of information and promotion of international co-operation have been acknowledged and acclaimed world-wide.
He is indeed a worthy recipient of Tribology’s highest honour: the Tribology Gold Medal for 2001.