There is an intrinsic link between boundary slip and superlubricity. However, due to limitations in experimental techniques, the slip length cannot be precisely measured, leaving the mechanism of boundary slip controversial. This paper aims to accurately measure the slip length at the solid-liquid interface under oil-lubricated elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) conditions using experimental methods, and to explore the friction reduction due to boundary slip. The study reveals that both omniphobic (lotus leaf essence) coatings and two-dimensional (2D) material (MoS2) coatings facilitate boundary slip. The slip length measurement method proposed in this study builds a bridge between oil film thickness and slip length, successfully addressing a key issue in boundary slip research. The findings confirm the significant friction reduction due to boundary slip, representing a major advancement in reducing friction in oil-lubricated EHL contacts through boundary slip. Future research should focus on searching for coating materials with a slip length on the micrometer scale so that superlubricity could be achieved.
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