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A special issue of Lubricants (ISSN 2075-4442).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 8570

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Dr. Zhenpeng He

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Guest Editor

School of Aeronautical Engineering, Civil Aviation University of China, Tianjin 300300, China
Interests: mechanical tribology; structural dynamics; rotor nonlinear dynamics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Hao Zhang

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Guest Editor

School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
Interests: tribology; lubrication; friction and wear; rotor nonlinear dynamics; surface

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are delighted to inform you that, after the successful launch of the first edition of the Special Issue on “Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology”, the second edition is now open for submissions.

As critical industrial technologies, mechanical friction and surface technologies have been widely applied in many fields. They not only have a significant impact on the performance and quality of materials but also have profound effects on the environment and ecology. Therefore, this Special Issue will focus on the latest research results regarding the cutting-edge technologies in these fields, providing insights to readers and promoting the progress of industrial technology.

This Special Issue will focus on three primary research topics, namely, lubrication and sealing technology, tribology research, and surface technology, all of which include the consideration of lubrication mechanisms, lubrication cavities, sealing mechanisms, lubrication performance evaluation, sealing performance evaluation, friction failure, friction wear, friction pair optimization design, friction testing, contact modeling, surface micromachining, surface modification, surface textures, surface coating, roughness modeling, and other key technologies. We welcome submissions of all kinds, and we believe that your research findings and technological applications will ensure that the content of this Special Issue is as exciting as possible. We will do our best to provide you with the highest quality editing and publishing services, helping your research results to be disseminated more widely.

We hope to collaborate with other like-minded researchers to promote the development of mechanical friction and surface technology and contribute to the progress of human society.

Dr. Zhenpeng He
Dr. Hao Zhang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Lubricants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

lubrication and sealing technology
tribology research
surface technology
roughness modeling
surface texture

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Related Special Issue

Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology in Lubricants (13 articles)

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 5861 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrodynamic Performance of Liquid Film Seals with Non-Newtonian and Thermal Fluid Lubrication

by Tianzhao Li, Bo Yu, Muming Hao, Fuyu Liu and Yuhan Song

Lubricants 2026, 14(3), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants14030110 - 3 Mar 2026

Viewed by 512

Abstract

This study investigates the non-Newtonian effects on liquid film seal performance by considering cavitation and thermoelastic deformation—critical factors in high-pressure sealing applications such as nuclear reactor coolant pumps and aerospace systems. We developed a coupled numerical model that simultaneously solves the Reynolds equation using a power-law constitutive model to analyze hydrodynamic performance and employs the energy equation and thermal-structural analysis to determine the temperature distribution and radial taper deformation of the seal rings. The results reveal that the power-law exponent (n) critically influences sealing behavior: shear-thinning fluids (n < 1) reduce the load capacity by 12.7% due to expanded cavitation zones, whereas shear-thickening fluids (n > 1) increase the friction torque by 18.3% through thermally-induced tapered convergence effects. We established quantitative relationships between rheological properties, thermal deformation, and sealing performance, demonstrating that non-Newtonian characteristics fundamentally alter the fluid–structure interaction mechanisms in liquid-film seals. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for optimizing seal designs under extreme operating conditions where conventional Newtonian assumptions prove inadequate, particularly addressing the critical need for enhanced reliability in nuclear and aerospace sealing systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology, 2nd Edition)

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25 pages, 3002 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Contact Performance and Friction Force of VL Seal of Aviation Actuator Under High Pressure Conditions

by Yanan Wang, Wenjun Yu, Jianping Ai, Xihui Tao, Qingyun Guo, Dongye Wang, Junying Suo and Xiuxu Zhao

Lubricants 2026, 14(2), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants14020073 - 4 Feb 2026

Viewed by 738

Abstract

To elucidate the contact performance and friction force variation characteristics of VL seals for aviation actuators under high-pressure conditions, this study adopted a fluid–structure interaction (FSI)-coupled finite element model to analyze the maximum contact pressure and contact width and their respective variation trends across varying oil pressures and reciprocating velocities. Subsequently, friction force tests of the seals were conducted under matching operating parameters, and the friction coefficients of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) were measured and compared under different normal pressures. The results demonstrate that the friction force of the seals during both extending and retracting strokes increases with rising oil pressure, which is highly correlated with the theoretically predicted conclusion that the seal contact width expands as oil pressure increases. Further analysis confirms that reciprocating velocity exerts no significant influence on the aforementioned variation trends. This study provides a critical basis for the selection and optimal design of VL seals used in high-pressure aviation hydraulic actuators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology, 2nd Edition)

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27 pages, 5961 KB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study of the Effect of Surface Texture in Sliding Contacts Using Infrared Thermography

by Milan Omasta, Tomáš Knoth, Petr Šperka, Michal Hajžman, Ivan Křupka, Pavel Polach and Martin Hartl

Lubricants 2026, 14(2), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants14020064 - 31 Jan 2026

Viewed by 746

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of surface texturing on temperature distribution in lubricated sliding contacts using infrared thermography. The work addresses the broader challenge of understanding thermal effects in conformal hydrodynamic contacts, where localized heating and viscosity variations can significantly affect tribological performance. A pin-on-disc configuration was employed, featuring steel pins with laser-etched micro-dimples that slid against a sapphire disc, allowing for thermal imaging of the contact zone. A dual-bandpass filter infrared thermography technique was developed and rigorously calibrated to distinguish between the temperatures of the steel surface and the lubricant film. Friction measurements and laser-induced fluorescence were used in parallel to assess contact conditions and the behavior of the lubricant film. The results show that surface textures can alter local frictional heating and contribute to non-uniform temperature distributions, particularly in parallel contact geometries. Lubricant temperature was consistently higher than the surface temperature, highlighting the role of shear heating within the fluid film. However, within the tested parameter range, no unambiguous viscosity-wedge signature was identified beyond the dominant temperature-driven viscosity reduction captured by the in situ correction. The method provides a novel means of experimentally resolving temperature fields in sliding textured contacts, offering a valuable foundation for validating thermo-hydrodynamic models in lubricated tribological systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology, 2nd Edition)

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19 pages, 21407 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sealing Performance of Different Materials and Seal Products on Electroplated Chrome and High-Velocity Oxy-Fuel-Sprayed WC-10Co-4Cr Coatings

by Minmin Zhao, Jing Wei, Le Huang, Feng Tan, Yong Wang and Jinyu Hu

Lubricants 2026, 14(2), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants14020063 - 30 Jan 2026

Viewed by 546

Abstract

This study first assessed the friction and wear properties of two polytetrafluoroethylene materials sliding against electroplated chrome and high-velocity oxy-fuel-sprayed WC-10Co-4Cr coatings. Subsequently, the sealing performance of three different structure seals made from these two polytetrafluoroethylene materials was investigated on both electroplated chrome and high-velocity oxy-fuel-sprayed WC-10Co-4Cr coatings. The study results indicate the following: in terms of changes in the counter-face surface roughness, both the electroplated chrome and high-velocity oxy-fuel-sprayed WC-10Co-4Cr surfaces exhibited an increase in surface roughness after sliding, demonstrating the phenomenon of “soft material wearing hard material.” Moreover, the changes in surface roughness were greater after sliding against wollastonite mineral-filled polytetrafluoroethylene than against polyether ether ketone-filled polytetrafluoroethylene, indicating that wollastonite mineral-filled polytetrafluoroethylene was more likely to cause damage to the metal surface. Regarding the friction coefficient and wear amount, under dry friction conditions, both materials exhibited higher friction coefficients but lower wear rates on high-velocity oxy-fuel-sprayed WC-10Co-4Cr surfaces, while showing lower friction coefficients but higher wear rates on electroplated chrome surfaces. This behavior was related to the ease of transfer film formation and the stability of the transfer films formed by polytetrafluoroethylene materials on the two surfaces. In terms of the products’ sealing performance, test results showed that, for composite seals with polytetrafluoroethylene as the counter-face, sealing performance was better on high-velocity oxy-fuel-sprayed WC-10Co-4Cr surfaces than on electroplated chrome surfaces. For seals with rubber as the counter-face, there was little difference in sealing performance between high-velocity oxy-fuel-sprayed WC-10Co-4Cr and electroplated chrome surfaces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology, 2nd Edition)

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25 pages, 10778 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Friction and Structural Optimization Design of Segmented Annular Seal

by Zhenpeng He, Hongyu Wang, Shijun Zhao, Jiaxin Si, Ning Li, Baichun Li and Wendong Luo

Lubricants 2026, 14(1), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants14010023 - 5 Jan 2026

Viewed by 711

Abstract

As a critical sealing component in aero-engines, the segmented annular seal is prone to friction and wear during the running-in stage, which seriously impairs its sealing performance and service life. To address this issue, this study takes the three-petal segmented annular seal made of T482 graphite as the research object, adopting a combined method of high-speed ring-block friction and wear tests and thermal–fluid–solid coupling simulation to investigate its friction and wear mechanisms and optimize its structural design. The results show that the segmented annular seal undergoes more severe friction and wear in the low-speed running-in stage; the wear rate increases with the rise in loading force and decreases with the increase in rotational speed, and the variation trend of surface roughness is consistent with that of the friction coefficient. Frictional heat and wear-induced scratches intensify the deformation and leakage of the seal, thereby leading to the risk of seal failure. Optimizing the depth of radial dynamic pressure grooves can significantly improve the opening performance of the seal, while optimizing the width of axial grooves mainly affects the seal leakage. This research provides a theoretical basis for improving the service life and sealing performance of segmented annular seals in aero-engines. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology, 2nd Edition)

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24 pages, 10537 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Ultrasonic Rolling Enhancement of TC4 and Its Tribological Characteristics Under Seawater Lubrication

by Shuaihui Wang, Xianshuai Ma, Donglin Li, Yong Tang, Feng Zhao, Yan Lu and Xiaoqiang Wang

Lubricants 2026, 14(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants14010002 - 20 Dec 2025

Viewed by 558

Abstract

To enhance the abrasion resistance of TC4 titanium alloy and meet the demand for wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant friction pair materials for water-hydraulic components of marine equipment, the tribological properties of the material subsequent to ultrasonic rolling extrusion surface strengthening under seawater-lubricated conditions were investigated. The process of ultrasonic rolling machining was simulated and analyzed by the finite element method. The influence of process parameters on surface residual stress and surface roughness of TC4 was studied, and the appropriate range of process parameters was determined. The effects of key process parameters such as rolling times, static pressure, amplitude, and rotational speed on the surface properties of TC4 were investigated by the single-factor test method. Based on the response surface methodology, a prediction model of surface hardness and roughness of TC4 was constructed, and the process parameters were optimized and analyzed. The friction coefficient, wear amount, and wear rate of TC4 and CFRPEEK under seawater lubrication before and after strengthening were studied by wear tests. The wear morphologies of the specimens prior to and subsequent to strengthening were analyzed, and the friction and wear mechanisms were explored in depth. The results indicate that ultrasonic rolling extrusion surface strengthening process facilitates grain refinement in the surface layer of TC4, enhances surface hardness, and optimizes surface roughness, thereby improving its wear resistance. This is of guiding significance to the design and use of hydraulic components in seawater and has a promoting effect on the development of marine equipment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology, 2nd Edition)

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21 pages, 6204 KB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Simulation of Temperature Field, Velocity Field and Solidification Microstructure Evolution of Laser Cladding AlCoCrFeNi High Entropy Alloy Coatings

by Andi Huang, Yilong Liu, Xin Li, Jingang Liu and Shiping Yang

Lubricants 2025, 13(12), 541; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13120541 - 12 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 917

Abstract

In this study, a multiphysics coupling numerical model was developed to investigate the thermal-fluid dynamics and microstructure evolution during the laser metal deposition of AlCoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) coatings on 430 stainless steel substrates. The model integrated laser-powder interactions, temperature-dependent material properties, and the coupled effects of buoyancy and Marangoni convection on melt pool dynamics. The simulation results were compared with experimental data to validate the model’s effectiveness. The simulations revealed a strong bidirectional coupling between temperature and flow fields in the molten pool: the temperature distribution governed surface tension gradients that drove Marangoni convection patterns, while the resulting fluid motion dominated heat redistribution and pool morphology. Initially, the Peclet number (Pe_T) remained below 5, indicating conduction-controlled heat transfer with a hemispherical melt pool. As the process progressed, Pe_T exceeded 50 at maximum flow velocities of 2.31 mm/s, transitioning the pool from a circular to an elliptical geometry with peak temperatures reaching 2850 K, where Marangoni convection became the primary heat transfer mechanism. Solidification parameter distributions (G and R) were computed and quantitatively correlated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-observed microstructures to elucidate the columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis identified body-centered cubic (BCC), face-centered cubic (FCC), and ordered B2 phases within the coating. The resulting hierarchical microstructure, transitioning from fine equiaxed surface grains to coarse columnar interfacial grains, synergistically enhanced surface properties and established robust metallurgical bonding with the substrate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology, 2nd Edition)

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15 pages, 13126 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Preliminary Study on Wear Resistance and High-Temperature Steam Oxidation of AlCrFeMoZr High-Entropy Alloy Coatings for Accident-Tolerant Fuel

by Yunyun Wu, Yilong Liu, Ping Yan and Jinghao Huang

Lubricants 2025, 13(12), 511; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13120511 - 23 Nov 2025

Viewed by 905

Abstract

High-entropy alloy (HEA) coatings have attracted significant attention in the nuclear power field due to their exceptional properties, showing great potential for accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) applications. In this study, novel AlCrFeMoZr HEA coatings with a near-equal molar ratio were successfully fabricated via magnetron sputtering at different bias voltages (−50 V, −100 V, and −150 V). The influence of bias voltage on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the coatings was systematically investigated. The results reveal that all HEA coatings exhibit a body-centered cubic structure with a (110) preferential orientation. As the bias voltage increased, the Al content in the HEA coating decreased, and the microstructure coarsened. The microhardness and friction and wear test results demonstrate that an HEA coating deposited at −100 V exhibited optimal mechanical properties owing to its good balance between hardness and toughness, leading to an improved tribological performance. Furthermore, a high-temperature water vapor oxidation experiment was conducted at 1200 °C in order to preliminarily study the differences in the anti-oxidation behavior of the new composition, an AlCrFeMoZr HEA coating, when deposited at various biases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology, 2nd Edition)

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19 pages, 13111 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Performance of Compliant Foil Gas Film Seal Based on Different Texture Bottom Designs

by Zhenpeng He, Yuchen Zou, Jiaxin Si, Ziyi Lei, Ning Li and Yuhang Guo

Lubricants 2024, 12(12), 445; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12120445 (registering DOI) - 12 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1478

Abstract

To investigate how texture affects the sealing performance of compliant foil, a systematic analysis was conducted on the impact of various bottom shapes of rectangular textures on the gas film sealing performance of the foil. The Reynolds equation for the compliant foil seal is solved using the finite difference method., and the average gas film pressure, bearing capacity, leakage, and friction performance parameters of the compliant foil gas film seal are obtained. The results indicate that the convergent right triangle bottom shape texture provides the best sealing performance, with the average gas film pressure reaching 1.457. This is 0.10% higher than the non-textured case and 0.55% higher than the horizontal bottom shape texture. For the same texture area ratio, increasing the texture length in the axial direction improves the dynamic pressure effect. When the aspect ratio is 2/1, the gas film pressure reaches its maximum, and leakage is minimized. With an area ratio of 0.25 and a depth of 5 μm, the compliant foil gas film seal achieves the highest pressure and the lowest leakage. Compared with the average pressure without texture, the average pressure can be increased by 0.83%, and the leakage can be reduced by 6.61%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology, 2nd Edition)

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Review

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17 pages, 739 KB

Open AccessReview

The Influence of Laser Alloying with Boron on the Condition and Properties of the Surface Layer of Selected Iron Alloys

by Marta Paczkowska

Lubricants 2025, 13(12), 542; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13120542 - 12 Dec 2025

Viewed by 554

Abstract

This article presents the effect of laser alloying with boron on the surface layer of iron alloys: steel and grey cast iron. The general goal of this review is to specify the main differences that can be expected after this treatment of selected iron-based alloys. Boron as an alloying element is first characterized. The effects of laser alloying are described in comparison to diffusion processing. The next section describes the effect of laser alloying with boron on the microstructure, hardness, and wear resistance of the surface layer of selected iron alloys. As a result of the conducted analysis, the most significant differences in the outcomes of laser alloying with boron, which may occur during the processing of various iron alloys, are as follows: the presence of graphite in the surface layer in the case of grey cast iron treatment and a clearly visible transition zone between the alloyed zone and the hardened zone during the treatment of grey cast iron as opposed to steel; variable depths of the modified surface layer and varied grain size in the alloy zone depending on the thermophysical properties of the material being treated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology, 2nd Edition)

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