Diamond lubricant outs friction and increases equipment life

摘要

The lifetime of steel bearings can be extended by up to eight times by a new synthetic diamond "lubricant," according to its developer, NanoLube, Inc. (Lombard, Ill.; www.diamondlube. com). The lubricant consists of 0.1-4-nm diamond spheres that are dispersed in a light carrier oil (about 5 wt.%) and coated onto the bearings and other friction-prone surfaces of a machine. When the machine is activated, the spheres become embedded in the surface of the metal, forming a smooth, protective barrier that prevents metal-to-metal con- tact and spalling, and reduces friction. The only contact is between the smooth diamond coatings, says Christopher Arnold, president of NanoLube.