Diamond-Like Carbon Coatings and Solid Lubricants for Friction, Wear, and Corrosion Protection
This research community develops surface coatings and lubricant additives designed to reduce friction, prevent wear, and protect against corrosion in mechanical and electrochemical systems.
The work centers on the synthesis and characterization of diamond-like carbon (DLC) films, amorphous carbon, and metal nitride coatings, often deposited via magnetron sputtering. A significant portion of the research focuses on the tribological behavior of these surfaces, specifically their friction and wear resistance under various environmental conditions. Another major strand involves the development of solid lubricants, such as molybdenum disulfide and boron nitride, and their use as additives in lubricating oils. The community also investigates the application of these protective coatings on stainless steel and other metals, particularly for bipolar plates in proton exchange membrane fuel cells, where corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity are critical. Molecular dynamics simulations are frequently used to model the atomic-level mechanisms of friction and wear in these materials.
The largest share of the community's output is found in tin research, accounting for 4.8% of all tin research, and 3,480 papers here. Carbon research follows with a 2.2% share and 2,599 papers, while titanium research represents a 1.9% share with 2,256 papers.
The community comprises 25,017 papers, publishing most frequently in Surface and Coatings Technology, Thin Solid Films, and Diamond and Related Materials.
Recent work continues to focus on the tribological performance of diamond-like carbon films under different atmospheric conditions, the development of solid lubricants for sustainable applications, and the substitution of copper in eco-friendly brake composites using materials like aluminum and red mud.