The purpose of this two-year U.S.-China research project between Marshall Peterson and Frederick Ling of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and Shizhuo Li, Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Metal Research is to study lubrication of metals with naturally occurring oxide films. The objectives are: to characterize the composition and properties of naturally occurring oxides at both high and low temperatures; to determine the conditions which are conducive to natural lubrication of a surface; and to advance understanding of the behavior of oxide films in sliding contact. Nickel, cobalt, and iron alloys will be prepared with rhenium, molybdenum, copper, and silver to form lubricating oxides. The Chinese investigators will prepare and characterize these alloys; friction and wear properties will be evaluated at the RPI laboratory; and a qualitative model of solid film lubrication will be developed jointly. The proposed research has significant practical applications. The discovery of a special oxide alloy or surface treatment that forms its own lubricant that reduces friction and wear, would be cost effective and extremely valuable for the aerospace and automotive industries particularly in the development of energy-efficient engines and other advanced power systems. The blending of the metallurgical, corrosion and tribology expertise of the RPI and Shenyang Institute of Metal Research promotes the major purpose of the U.S. - China Cooperative Science Program; which is, to advance scientific knowledge through the combined efforts and abilities of Americans and Chinese scientists and engineers.
