[en] Charged particle activation analysis based on the bombardment with 15MeV protons from cyclotron was used to study the friction wearing at the zone of contacts in cutting tools, roller bearings and gear teeth. The radioactivity of resulting isotopes such as Co-56, Co-58, Re-183 serves as a measure of the mass changes on the surface tools. The method is suitable for studying the parameters effecting wearing processes and the role of cutting fluid, and also to envisage the economic factors in production planning