Superhard and Slick Coating Paves the Way for the Lubricants of the Future
Researchers are racing to develop sustainable lubricants made from plants, but there’s one big stumbling block: friction. Biobased lubricants that are less effective than petroleum would result in more friction, meaning more wear and tear along with lower fuel efficiency and generally higher emissions. Enter the new Superhard and Slick Coating, which just won an award from R&D Magazine as one of the top innovations of the year.
The high tech self-lubricating coating can be applied to almost any metal used in engines and machinery. Compared to uncoated surfaces, in both lab and engine tests Superhard and Slick Coating cut friction by up to 80%, and it virtually eliminated wear and scuffing. With the focus off of petroleum as a baseline for performance, researchers will have more flexibility to develop new alternative lubricants that are biodegradable, nontoxic and sustainable.
