BioSlide

Motivation

In the past, the focus of tribological systems was mainly on wear and lifetime. Today, however, energy efficiency, resource efficiency, and circularity in mechanical engineering are gaining importance, which also affects research on tribological components. The reusability of materials as well as the use of bio-based materials and lubricating fluids in the tribological context are increasingly being discussed.

Meanwhile, the terms “Green Tribology“ and “Bio-Tribology“ have established themselves in the scientific community. In parallel, intensive efforts are being made to find solutions to another material-related issue – the replacement of hazardous materials in fluorinated hydrocarbons (PFAS), hard chrome plating of surfaces (CrVI), and metal-containing oil additives (heavy metals). The BioSlide project aims to address all these challenges.

Recent results from Fraunhofer IWS regarding the coating with diamond-like carbon layers show, on one hand, outstanding friction reduction with plant oil-based lubricants, and on the other hand, thanks to new coating processes, the ability to coat soft, non-conductive materials, as well as polymers and cellulose-based materials.

Goals and Approach

In the BioSlide project, Fraunhofer IWS establishes a junior research group led by Dr. Stefan Makowski. Dr. Makowski has successfully researched the tribological properties of carbon coatings and the phenomenon of superlubricity since 2009. In the context of several doctoral projects, the team will develop and investigate novel, bio-based, and friction-reducing sliding systems, particularly focusing on the example of sliding bearings.

The objectives of the project include:

• Using bio-based lubricants instead of mineral oil-based variants
• Using bio-based and, where possible, recyclable polymers and wood-based materials as construction materials in friction pairs
• Using innovative, soft materials with hard carbon coatings in mechanical engineering
• Exploiting untapped potential for friction reduction, for example through superlubricity
• Highlighting the added value of bio-based materials
• Presenting innovative tribological sliding systems using the example of universally applicable plain bearings under industrial conditions