This excellent book is the culmination of an idea spawned from a special issue on Wear in the Journal of Engineering Tribology that was guest edited by the author. Chapters have been contributed by a wide variety of top experts in the field of tribology and wear; with one third of the material being completely new and the remainder taken from the journal issue, and revised and re--formatted for the purposes of the book. This publication enables you to understand wear and our present knowledge thereof, but also how the knowledge of wear may be further advanced; thus stimulating its readers to contribute to the progress of this fascinating subject, which relates to most known disciplines in physical science. This book is a valuable addition to the established 'Tribology in Practice' series. Offers a valuable contribution to literature in the field of tribology, which has emerged as a key science for vital new technologies such as nanotechnology and MEMS in varying industries including mechanical and automotive engineering. Offers a comprehensive review of current knowledge in the field of wear. Includes contributions from acknowledged leading experts in the field, thus creating an authoritative publication. Discusses latest topics in wear mechanism classification. Discusses the effects of surface chemistry in tribology, and the multi--scale characterization of wear surfaces. Includes coverage of a wide variety of materials inc. metals, polymers, polymer composites, diamond and diamond--like films and ceramics. Discusses the chemo--mechanical linkages that control tribology, providing a more complete treatment of the subject than just the conventional mechanical treatments. Includes an introductory chapter outlining the practical problems of wear and presenting the topics to be discussed in the subsequent chapters.