"As predicted by friction theory, experiments showed that friction and surface damage of metals can be reduced by solid surface films. The ability of materials to form surface films that prevent welding was a very important factor in wear of dry and boundary lubricated surfaces. Films of graphitic carbon on cast irons, NiO on nickel alloys, and FeO and Fe(sub 3)O(sub 4) on ferrous materials were found to be beneficial. Abrasive films such as Fe(sub 2)O(sub 3) or MoO(sub 3) were definitely detrimental. It appears that the importance of oxide films to friction and wear processes has not been fully appreciated" (p. 93).

Basic combustion research is collected, collated, and interpreted as it applies to flight propulsion. The following fundamental processes are treated in separate chapters: atomization and evaporation of liquid fuels, flow and mixing processes in combustion chambers, ignition and flammability of hydrocarbon fuels, laminar flame propagation, turbulent flames, flame stabilization, diffusion flames, oscillations in combustors, and smoke and coke formation in the combustion of hydrocarbon-air mixtures. Theoretical background, basic experimental data, and practical significance to flight propulsion are presented.