Low friction coatings tech news
On October 1, 2026, researchers published a study in Tribology International demonstrating that interface pre--graphitization enables macroscopic superlubricity in silicon--doped hydrogenated diamond--like carbon (Si--DLC:H) coatings. While hydrogenated DLC films typically suffer from unstable running--in periods and surface wear under severe contact conditions, introducing a pre--graphitized contact interface accelerates the formation of an ordered, self--replenishing graphitic transfer film during frictional shear. This mechanism minimizes chemical adhesion and contact stress concentrations, allowing the Si--DLC:H solid--lubricant coating to sustain macroscale superlubricity with friction coefficients below 0.01 across tens of thousands of cycles. The findings provide an actionable surface--engineering framework for deploying low--friction, high--durability carbon coatings in demanding industrial machinery and precision tooling.