Fullerene (C60) films for solid lubrication

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993 · ASLE Transactions (American Society of Lubrication Engineers); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/10402009308983197· OSTI ID:5493331

Bhushan, B; Gupta, B K; Van Cleef, G W; Capp, C E; Coe, J V ^[1]

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1. Ohio State Univ., Columbus (United States)

The advent of techniques for producing gram quantities of a new form of stable, pure, solid carbon, designated as fullerene, opens a profusion of possibilities to be explored in many disciplines including tribology. Fullerenes take the form of hollow geodesic domes, which are formed from a network of pentagons and hexagons with covalently bonded carbon atoms. The C60 molecule has the highest possible symmetry (icosahedral) and assumes the shape of a soccer ball. At room temperature, fullerene molecules pack in an fcc lattice bonded with weak van der Waals attractions. Fullerenes can be dissolved in solvents such as toluene and benzene and are easily sublimed. The low surface energy, high chemical stability, spherical shape, weak intermolecular bonding, and high load bearing capacity of C60 molecules offer potential for various mechanical and tribological applications. This paper describes the crystal structure and properties of fullerenes and proposes a mechanism for self-lubricating action. Sublimed films of C60 have been produced and friction and wear performance of these films in various operating environments are the subject of this paper. The results of this study indicate that C60, owing to its unique crystal structure and bonding, may be a promising solid lubricant. 31 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5493331
• Journal Information: ASLE Transactions (American Society of Lubrication Engineers); (United States), Vol. 36:4; ISSN 0569-8197
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
FULLERENES
LUBRICATING PROPERTIES
SOLID LUBRICANTS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
CARBON
ELEMENTS
LUBRICANTS
NONMETALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
320302* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Materials
360606 - Other Materials- Physical Properties- (1992-)