Use of very lightweight sliding parts that require almost zero wear rates has begun recently in magnetic recording devices and micromechanical systems. The ultimate goal of microtribology is to create practical zero-wear devices with very small mass and very light load. Friction involves wear, but do not if only the surface forces interact. There are two types of microwear processes: one involves only depression, and the other process forms upheavals on a surface as the pre-stage of wear. Microtribology is an important technology for the development of new microdevices, and is also an important science for understanding the origin of friction and wear. Close cooperation between scientists and engineers is needed.
