Titanium boron composite coatings with superior wear performance were selected for use in materials experiments on the International Space Station. The titanium-boron nitride composite coatings were prepared using an atmospheric plasma spray technique from engineered composite powders. The coatings were subjected to extensive characterization and tribological studies. The results show tremendous improvement in the wear performance.

Cobalt alloys are widely used to meet the demanding performance requirements of diesal and natural gas engine valvetrain applications. Alloy J513 alloy was developed to lower costs and provide higher performance while also requiring substantially less cobalt usage.

Blaze is an environmentally friendly case-hardening process with good wear characteristics, a low coefficient of friction, and it can be applied directly at the OEM.

A brief literature review and case study explore the effect of particulate reinforcements and processing parameters on the tribological behavior of polymer matrix composites made by 3D printing via fused filament fabrication.

Triboglide coatings offer enhanced wear resistance in applications like air foil bearings, actuators, and wear components where oil-based lubrication is scarce. They exhibit excellent wear and friction properties compared to other commercially available coatings.

The use of coatings to enhance the performance of components is one of the most powerful tools in materials engineering. This article highlights some examples of how thermal spray technologies are used to enhance surface properties for selected applications and industries.

Thin film cathodic arc PVD coatings offer an easy and economical way to optimize surface properties without changing bulk performance. This article describes a modified cathodic arc process called arc plasma acceleration (APA), which enables production of high density, thin film coatings containing minimal macroparticles.

Boronizing 3D-printed Inconel 718 for improved wear resistance produces results similar to those obtained for wrought 718.

Boriding is performed by diffusing boron atoms into a metal surface and allowing the boron to react with elements present in the substrate to form metal-boride compounds. Upon diffusing enough boron into the surface, a metal-boride compound layer with high hardness precipitates and grows below the surface of the part. This article discusses boriding of ferrous alloys, including a new deep case boriding method that produces wear layer depths comparable to competitive processes such as carburizing, nitriding, thermal spray coatings, and hardfacing.

This article considers the effect of atomic oxygen exposure in low earth orbit on thin film solid lubricants of molybdenum disulphide and diamond-like carbon nanocomposites, a silica-containing diamond-like carbon film. Advances in deposition methods over the past few decades enable dense films to be created that are more resistant to oxidative degradation and the effects of adsorbed moisture than their predecessors. Further, incorporating additional phases improves the tribological performance of the films in a range of atmospheres.

Renewed interest in a NASA-developed material known as Triboglide has led to a study of the friction and wear properties of HVOF-sprayed Triboglide coatings and close variants. This article describes the coating process, examines coating cross-sections, and presents and analyzes the results of high-temperature pin-on-disc wear tests.

The unique metallurgy and microstructure of Cu-Ni-Sn spinodal alloys provide a combination of strength, toughness, hardness, and corrosion resistance, suiting them for applications ranging from bearings, bushings, and friction surfaces in all sorts of machinery to electrical connectors and EMI shielding gaskets.

A new fusion cladding process that uses high-intensity arc lamps can produce pinhole free, smooth, uniform coatings as thick as 15 mm from various feedstock materials. This article briefly describes the process and the corrosion, wear, and high-temperature behavior of fusion claddings designed for oil and gas pipelines and related components.

Although computer modeling of friction phenomena continues to improve, bench-scale and subscale tribotesting remain important in selecting materials, surface treatments, and lubricants for automotive applications.

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of pyrolytic chromium carbide coatings (PCCCs) is proving to be a viable alternative to hard chrome plating used on cylinder piston group components. This article discusses the development and optimization of a CVD process for depositing PCCCs on piston rings and cylinder sleeves. It evaluates the coatings based on friction, wear, and adhesion properties in comparison with coatings produced by other methods.

This article evaluates the sliding wear behavior of fiber-reinforced 7075 Al alloy composites. It explains how the composite samples were made and shows how different fiber materials, volume percentages, and orientations affect hardness and wear resistance. It also interprets wear test results and what they reveal about wear mechanisms in metal-matrix composites.