Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-30-2025
Keywords
graphite, polydopamine, solid lubricant, coating performance, transfer film, wear mechanism
Abstract
This study investigates the tribological performance and wear mechanisms of graphite and polydopamine/graphite (PDA/graphite) coatings on stainless steel under dry sliding conditions. While graphite is widely used as a solid lubricant, its poor adhesion to metal substrates limits long-term durability. Incorporating an adhesion-promoting PDA underlayer significantly improved coating lifetime and wear resistance. Tribological testing revealed that PDA/graphite coatings maintained a coefficient of friction (COF) below 0.15 for over seven times longer than graphite-only coatings. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy, SEM, and profilometry showed that PDA improved coating adhesion and suppressed lateral debris transport, confining wear to a narrow zone. Surface and counterface analyses confirmed enhanced graphite retention and formation of cohesive transfer films. Raman spectroscopy indicated only modest changes in the D and G bands. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, XPS analysis, confirmed that coating failure correlated with the detection of Fe and Cr peaks and oxide formation. Together, these results demonstrate that PDA enhances interfacial adhesion and structural stability without compromising lubrication performance, offering a strategy to extend the durability of carbon-based solid lubricant systems for high-contact-pressure applications.
Citation
Abe, A.; Maia de Oliveira, F.; Okyere, D.; Benamara, M.; Chen, J.; Mazur, Y.I.; Zou, M. Durable Low-Friction Graphite Coatings Enabled by a Polydopamine Adhesive Underlayer. Lubricants 2025, 13, 433. https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13100433
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Comments
Web of Science
MDPI