Low friction coatings tech news
On September 30, 2026, researchers published findings in the Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance detailing an advanced surface--engineering technique that pairs laser surface texturing with thin--film low--friction coatings for severe dry--machining environments. The process deposits a physical vapor deposition (PVD) tungsten disulfide (WS2) solid--lubricant low--friction top layer onto an Al2O3 nanofluid--assisted laser--textured DLC/Cr/TiAlN multilayer tool surface. Tribological testing and dry--turning operational trials demonstrated that the hybrid textured and low--friction coated system achieved a 13% reduction in the coefficient of friction, a 24% decrease in cutting forces, a 50% reduction in cutting temperatures, and a 50% reduction in tool wear relative to conventional unmodified cutting tools.