Ferrography—then and now

Abstract Since 1971, when ferrography was first introduced, there have been many developments in the techniques used to process samples and also the way in which debris is analysed and interpreted in relation to the underlying causes that produced them. The science and application of ferrography embraces both the engineering and medical fields and this has led to new and exciting ways of understanding the associated phenomena and how to extract the best information for the advancement of the subject matter. The purpose of this special issue is to provide an overview of some of the principal developments that have taken place over the past three decades, thereby placing on record what is widely acknowledged to be one of the most significant developments in the field of wear debris technology.