Objective
The overall objective of the integrated project is to provide industry with radically new composite coating systems, based on the incorporation of inorganic fullerene-like nanoparticles. The application of the composite coatings will be for surfaces and lu bricants, in order to significantly reduce and control friction and wear in tribological contacts. The ultimate aim is to reduce friction as well as to extend operational life, reduce maintenance requirements and reduce the environmental impact of a wide r ange of mechanical elements for the aerospace, automotive, power generation (energy) and manufacturing industrial sectors. The new materials that will be developed can be grouped into three categories: Nanocomposite hard coatings, consisting of a hard matr ix containing self-lubricant fullerene-like (FL) nanoparticles Polymeric coatings and paints incorporating the Fullerene-like nanoparticles Lubricants and greases containing fullerene-like nanoparticles for complex systems where only some parts can be lubr icated or coated with the new nanocomposites These new materials will allow independent control of tribological properties usually known as antagonists (very high load bearing capacity with a very low friction coefficient). This breakthrough in coatings an d materials design will mean a radical innovation in lubrication and wear protection concepts, rather than an incremental advance in either reducing wear or improving friction behaviour. Success will require the development of innovative coating processes and incorporation techniques for the production of these unique nano-composites. Although initial work will focus on the incorporation of existing inorganic fullerene nanoparticles with onion-like or nanotube structures, significant research effort will be concentrated on the discovery and development of new inorganic fullerene-like materials (IFLMs) to fulfil the expected industrial requirements.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
FP6-2003-NMP-NI-3
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Funding Scheme
NoE - Network of ExcellenceCoordinator
Participants (34)
BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT
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BACUP, LANCASHIRE
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OLTEN
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DERBY
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BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT
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