Low Friction Coefficient Research Articles

Macroscale Superlubrication Achieved with Shear-Thinning Semisolid Lubricants.

Macrosuperlubric materials are pivotal for reducing friction and wear in engineering applications. However, current solid superlubricants require intricate fabrication and specific conditions (e.g., vacuum or inert atmospheres), while liquid superlubricants are prone to creep, leakage, and corrosion. Here, a novel semisolid subnanometer nanowire (SNW) superlubrication material based on the shear-thinning effect is introduced to overcome these challenges. The SNWs achieve an exceptionally low friction coefficient (0.008-0.009) with silicon nitride (Si3N4) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tribo-pairs, demonstrating a brief running-in period (≈39 s) and stable superlubrication over extended friction (12 h, >120000 cycles). The combination of the shear-thinning network structure mechanism, the adsorption membrane mechanism, and hydrodynamic effects provides a synergistic effect, playing a crucial role in achieving superlubricity. Additionally, SNWs can be combined with various base oils to create semisolid gel lubricants with superlubricating properties. This innovative approach addresses the limitations of current superlubrication systems and introduces a new category of semisolid gel lubricants, significantly expanding the applications of superlubrication materials.

Evaluation of Wear Resistance in Tungsten-Doped Diamond-like Carbon Coatings (WC/C) on Coated and Uncoated Surfaces Under Starved Oil Lubrication with R452A Refrigerant

This article assesses the potential of using a diamond-like carbon coating doped with tungsten, a-C:H:W (WC/C), on the sliding pairs of refrigeration compressors. The ability of WC/C coating to provide low wear and a low coefficient of friction was experimentally verified in a specific refrigeration compressor operating environment (lubrication with oil diluted with refrigerant) and under extreme operating conditions (starved lubrication with a small amount of oil). Conditions of starved lubrication with a substance of reduced lubricity promote a temperature increase and high mechanical (friction) stresses on the surface of the sliding pairs. These situations can hinder the effective operation of WC/C coatings. Comparative wear tests were carried out for S235JR steel samples with and without WC/C coating. It was found that the samples with the WC/C coating had the lowest wear values and the lowest friction coefficients (approximately 0.06). A low coefficient of friction suggests that even a small amount of oil (one drop) is likely sufficient to achieve mixed lubrication conditions between the tested sliding surfaces and reduce material loss. The tested WC/C coating can protect sliding friction pairs in refrigeration compressors under extreme operating conditions caused by a lack of oil. Less friction reduces the need for energy to drive the refrigeration compressor. Additionally, the significance of this research is highlighted by the fact that the wear tests were conducted using R452A, a novel, eco-friendly refrigerant.

Dynamics of Viscous Jeffrey Fluid Flow Through Darcian Medium With Hall Current and Quadratic Buoyancy.

This contribution builds on existing studies by investigating the dynamics of Hall current in Jeffery fluid under radiative heat, convective boundary conditions, Joule heating, and Darcy dissipation. Hall current, an important phenomenon in engineering applications involving strong magnetic fields, highlights the impact of electromagnetic force in examining blood flow rate, determining charge drift velocity, density, and movement, and is used in power generators and high-voltage transformers. This analysis incorporates dissipative and thermal radiative heat and employs the effects of Hall current and Joule heating, resulting from porous medium resistance, to derive the partial differential equationsgoverning the dynamic systems. These equationsare then reduced to ordinary differential equations (ODEs) through similarity variables. The Galerkin weighted residual method (GWRM) is employed to examine the dynamics of Hall current and quadratic thermal buoyancy, shedding light on the thermal properties and hydrodynamics of Jeffrey fluid convection within a porous medium. The analysis reveals that in the presence of an applied magnetic field, the contribution of Hall current to flow and heat dynamics induces a magnetic force that enhances fluid motion and negatively impacts heat energy patterns. The imposition of dissipative heat physically increases the fluid temperature, owing to an increase in buoyancy current. The occurrence of thermal radiation, Hall current, viscous dissipation, and Joule heating can efficiently optimize the rate of heat transfer and shear stress. Moreover, the tabular results indicate that Jeffrey fluid, exhibiting higher relaxation time, will experience a lower friction coefficient and heat transferrate.

Structural, Mechanical, and Optical Properties of Laminate-Type Thin Film SWCNT/SiOxNy Composites

The development of new encapsulating coatings for flexible solar cells (SCs) can help address the complex problem of the short lifespan of these devices, as well as optimize the technological process of their production. In this study, new laminate-type protective composite coatings were prepared using a silicon oxynitride thin-film matrix obtained by curing the pre-ceramic polymer perhydropolysilazane (PHPS) through two low-temperature methods: (i) thermal annealing at 180 °C and (ii) exposure to UV radiation at wavelengths of 185 and 254 nm. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were used as fillers via dry transfer, facilitating their horizontal orientation within the matrix. The optical, adhesive, and structural properties of the matrix films and SiOxNy/SWCNT composite coatings, along with their long-term stability, were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Vis spectroscopy, HR-SEM, spectral ellipsometry, and a progressive-load scratch test. In this work, the optical constants of PHPS-derived films were systematically studied for the first time. An antireflection effect was observed in the composites revealing their two-component nature associated with (i) the refractive index of the SiOxNy matrix film and (ii) the embedding of a SWCNT filler into the SiOxNy matrix. The curing method of PHPS was shown to significantly affect the resulting properties of the films. In addition to being used as protective multifunctional coatings for SCs, both SiOxNy/SWCNT composites and SiOxNy matrix films also function as broadband optical antireflective coatings. Furthermore, due to the very low friction coefficients observed in the mechanical tests, they show potential as scratch resistant coatings for mechanical applications.

Bioengineered lubricin alters the lubrication modes of cartilage in a dose-dependent manner.

The low friction nature of articular cartilage has been attributed to the synergistic interaction between lubricin and hyaluronic acid in the synovial fluid (SF). Lubricin is a mucinous glycoprotein that lowers the boundary mode coefficient of friction of articular cartilage in a dose-dependent manner. While there have been multiple attempts to produce recombinant lubricin and lubricin mimetic cartilage lubricants over the last two decades, these materials have not found clinical use due to challenges associated with large scale production, manufacturing, and purification. Recently, a novel method using codon scrambling was developed to produce a stable, full-length bioengineered equine lubricin (eLub) in large reproducible quantities. While preliminary frictional analysis of eLub and other recombinantly produced forms revealed they can lubricate cartilage, a complete tribological characterization is lacking, with previous studies evaluating the friction coefficient only at a single dose or a single speed. The objective of this study was to analyze the dose-dependent tribological properties of eLub using the Stribeck framework of tribological analysis. Recombinantly produced eLub at doses greater than 1.5 mg/mL exhibits friction coefficients on par with healthy bovine SF, and a maximal 5 mg/mL dose exhibits a nearly 50% lower friction coefficient than healthy SF. eLub also modulates the shift in lubrication mode of the cartilage from the high friction boundary mode to the low friction minimum mode at high concentrations.

Effect of addition on microstructures and mechanical properties of cBN/Cu-Zn-Ti composites via the pulse electric current sintering

In order to improve the performance of metal-bonded grinding wheels, the cBN/Cu-Zn-Ti composites were fabricated by pulse current sintering with several different Co contents (i.e., 5, 10, and 15 wt%) were added. The specimen microstructure, interfacial analysis and fracture morphology of pulse current sintering cBN grain were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The mechanical properties of hardness, wear resistance, and three-point bending strength of the fabricated specimens were tested. The electrochemical properties was also tested. The specimen shape fabricated by pulse current sintering using the composite Cu-Zn-Ti alloy doped by Co was better than pure Cu-Zn-Ti alloy. The microscopic analysis revealed that TiB2 and TiN were maintained between the Cu-Zn-Ti composites and cBN. With the addition of Co, the hardness, flexural strength and wear resistance of the specimens are improved. The new phase CoTi3 enhancing strength of the metal composite via the Orowan mechanism. The S5 specimen containing 15 wt% Co particles has the highest flexural strength, which is 485.83 MPa and satisfies the requirements of high speed grinding. Meanwhile, when the Co content reaches 10 %, the lowest friction coefficient (0.217) and lowest wear rate (0.81 mg) are achieved for the sample. With the addition of Co, the corrosion resistance of the material is significantly improved.

Strong Bonding of Robust Lubricating Hydrogels to Porous Substrates for Joint Replacement.

Hydrogels with excellent mechanical and lubrication properties have been developed rapidly, laying the foundation for their application in cartilage replacement. However, the combination of robust hydrogels and substrates under different forms of movement is a great challenge. In addition, due to differences in modulus, the stress shielding effect caused by implantable artificial joint metal materials can lead to bone resorption. Here, we proposed to combine a 3D printed porous titanium alloy with a high-strength lubricating hydrogel to construct an integrated joint substitute material. The porous titanium alloy TC4 substrate constructed by 3D printing possesses a modulus similar to that of human bone. The strong bonding of the hydrogel and TC4 was achieved through two strategies: mechanical interlocking and chemical bonding. The combination of the alloy substrate and hydrogel realizes the construction of a bionic lubricating cartilage layer on the surface of traditional artificial joint materials. The hydrogel has excellent bonding properties with the porous substrate under different test conditions. Truly human-like joint sockets were prepared for the first time with soft-soft and soft-hard contact modes. Under conditions simulating human motion, the hydrogel maintains a low friction coefficient and still has excellent substrate adhesion after 100,000 cycles. This study further pushes the application of hydrogels in biolubrication into practice.

Tribocorrosion Performance and Cytotoxicity of Additive Manufactured CoCrMo: A Benchmark Against Wrought CoCrMo

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has increasingly gained attention as a tool for the fabrication of complex biomedical components, due to the flexibility of the technique for accounting to the patient individuality. Additive manufacturing techniques, like laser beam melting, often result in highly anisotropic microstructures that greatly differ from those obtained in conventionally manufactured alloys. This study evaluates the potential of AM manufactured CoCrMo for body implants as an alternative to the wrought CoCrMo, especially considering tribocorrosion performance in buffered fluid. Its biocompatibility is also assessed via in-vitro cytotoxicity assays. The results show that both materials have a comparable tribocorrosion performance, independently of the manufacturing process, despite their radically different initial microstructure. This results from the microstructural convergence arising from the plastic deformation imparted by sliding motion. While the initially elongated grains of the AM CoCrMo tend to grain refinement, the microstructure of the wrought CoCrMo undergoes grain coarsening, resulting in a similar final grain size detected after the tribocorrosion experiments. The addition of albumin to the phosphate buffer testing fluid, simulating body fluid applications, reduces the grain refinement, particularly under constant 0.21 V, due to lower shear stresses caused by the lower coefficient of friction. Therefore, the initial dissimilarity found in the untested microstructure between the materials does not affect the wear rate nor lead to an increased metal release. As the cytotoxicity is neither impaired by the manufacturing process, the use of AM CoCrMo could be recommended on those biomedical applications requiring wear resistance in body fluid environment.

Tribological effects of varying volumetric energy density in additive manufacturing of inconel 718

Abstract This study investigates the novel effects of varying volumetric energy density (VED) ratios on the tribological characteristics of Inconel 718 alloy fabricated using Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) process. Nine VED ratios were investigated, and samples underwent non-contact surface roughness tests, Vickers microhardness tests, and residual stress analysis. Notably, this study identified specific VED conditions where superior wear resistance was achieved, contributing new insights into optimizing LPBF parameters for tribological performance. Based on preliminary analysis, samples 1, 3, and 8 were selected for ball-on-disc wear testing. Sample 8, fabricated with 330 W laser power, 50 mm/s scan speed, 0.10 mm hatch spacing, and 0.05 mm layer thickness, demonstrated superior tribological behaviour with a 32.12% and 52.11% lower friction coefficient and 31% and 29.92% less mass loss compared to samples 1 and 3, respectively. The presence of γ-Ni, γ’-Ni3 (Al, Ti), γ-FCC, and γ’-L12 phases, along with microstructural features such as columnar and cellular dendritic structures, were confirmed via SEM and X-ray diffraction analyses. This study’s novel findings contribute valuable knowledge for optimizing Inconel 718 production via LPBF, particularly in enhancing wear resistance through tailored VED settings.

Dry sliding wear behaviour of AA6082/BN/Mos2 hybrid metal matrix composites synthesized using stir casting process

This study examines the wear behaviour of AA6082/x Boron Nitride (BN) (x = 1, 2, 3 wt.%)/1 wt.% of Molybdenum Disulphide (MoS2), a novel hybrid metal matrix composite (MMC), under dry sliding conditions. The composite was fabricated through liquid-state processing, i.e., stir casting. A pin-on-disk tribometer was used to estimate the coefficient of friction (COF) and wear rate by varying tribological process parameters under dry sliding conditions. The results show that at the maximum load of 40 N, the wear rate of the unreinforced alloy is observed 4.077 × 10−2 mm3/m, while at the AA6082/3 wt. of %, BN/1 wt. % of the MoS2 composite's wear rate is reduced to 2.162 × 10−2 mm3/m. Further, the wear rate increases as the sliding distance increases from 500 m to 2000 m. Moreover, the friction coefficient of the unreinforced alloy is observed 0.37, whereas the AA6082/3 wt.% of BN/1 wt.% of MoS2 composites is observed 0.31 under reduced loads. It might be due to the presence of hard ceramic BN and MoS2 reinforcements enhancing the developed composite's resistance to wear by forming a mechanically mixed layer (Fe2O3) on the sliding contact surface. Moreover, the novel hybrid composite materials exhibit a lower coefficient of friction at higher sliding velocities, sliding distances, and applied loads. However, minimal fine grooves with limited abrasion are observed on the worn surface, which was examined through a scanning electron microscope.

Evaluation of Fine Wear Particles Emission from Styrene-Butadiene Rubber Reinforced with Aligned Carbon Nanotubes: A Study Based on Unit Wear Mass Analysis

Rubber filled with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) oriented along a specific direction exhibits excellent tribological performance owing to the unique directional structure of the CNTs, and offers significant application potential. However, when CNT-reinforced rubbers are worn, fine wear particles (WPs), including CNTs, are emitted, creating a potential respiratory health risk. This study explores the relationship between the emission of fine WPs (with sizes ) against a frosted glass disc under sliding conditions and the tribological performance of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) reinforced by aligned CNTs. The number of WPs per unit worn mass (QwpS/uwm, where S is the upper limit to the particle size in μm), was defined to quantify the emissions after a unit mass was worn. Using a pin-on-disc test rig developed for this study, the results showed that SBR with CNTs oriented perpendicular to the wear surface (denoted as CNTs-z-SBR) exhibited higher Qwp3.0/uwm and Qwp5.0/uwm values owing to its superior wear resistance. A greater worn mass resulted in larger amounts of WPs, but smaller Qwp3.0/uwm and Qwp5.0/uwm. Furthermore, both water lubrication and lower coefficients of friction (COF) increased the value of Qwp3.0/uwm, whereas a larger load and velocity decreased the values of Qwp3.0/uwm and Qwp5.0/uwm.

Implications of a Reverse Polarity Earthquake Pair on Fault Friction and Stress Heterogeneity Near Ridgecrest, California

AbstractWe apply the Matrix Profile algorithm to 100 days of continuous data starting 10 days before the 2019 M 6.4 and M 7.1 Ridgecrest earthquakes from borehole seismic station B921 near the Ridgecrest aftershock sequence. We identify many examples of reversely polarized waveforms, but focus on one particularly striking earthquake pair with strongly negatively correlated P and S waveforms at B921 and several other nearby stations. Waveform‐cross‐correlation‐based relocation of these events indicates they are at about 10 km depth and separated by only 115 m. Individual focal mechanisms are poorly resolved for these events because of the limited number of recording stations with unambiguous P polarities. However, relative P and S polarity and amplitude information can be used to constrain the likely difference in fault plane orientation between the two events to be 5–20°. We explore possible models to explain these observations, including low effective coefficients of fault friction and short‐wavelength stress heterogeneity caused by prior earthquakes. Although definitive conclusions are lacking, we favor local stress heterogeneity as being more consistent with other observations for the Ridgecrest region.

Ultrahigh tribocorrosion resistance of hydrogenated amorphous carbon coating via trace gradient W incorporation

In this work, we manipulated the trace gradient W incorporation combined with a increment top-layer thickness for the hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) coating on thermally sprayed WC-based cermet. The tribocorrosion resistance of the modified a-C:H coating was investigated in terms of structural evolution during friction under 3.5wt.% NaCl solution. Regardless of introduction of gradient W doping, although the a-C:H coating maintained the sp2/sp3 atomic bond structure, the stress reduction and plasticity increase were obtained for coatings. Moreover, the stable open-circuit potential revealed that the tribocorrosion resistance of modified coating was significantly improved, as identified by the quite low wear rate and coefficient of friction at 1.46×10-8 mm3/N·m and COF of 0.067, respectively. Different with the traditional failure of worn-out and pitting corrosion of a-C:H coating in chloride solution, the designed robust interfaces and the functional top-layer enabled the coating to withstand longest sliding distance over 2100m at heavy contacting pressure of 1.67GPa. These observations offer the promising strategy to fabricate advanced carbon-based coatings with required extremely strong wear resistance and anticorrosion capability for mechanical components used in harsh marine environment.

Effect of B/N dual doping on mechanical and tribological properties of Mo-S-B-N sputtered films

Doping with non-metal element is effective to improve the porous morphology and enhance the mechanical and tribological properties of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) based film. However, the mechanical properties of TMDs based film with single additive should be enhanced further for better wear resistance. In this work, B/N dual-doping was used to further enhance the deformation resistance and toughness of MoS2 based films deposited by magnetron sputtering, while the effect of B/N dopants on the structure, mechanical and tribological properties has been investigated. Mo-S-B-N film with B content of 20.91 at. % and N content of 18.13 at. % consists of MoS2 and amorphous nitride/boride, in which B/N dual doping film forms a higher ordered MoS2 lamellar structure compared to B doping film. With a hardness of 11.6±0.9 GPa and improved toughness, the film achieves a low wear rate and average friction coefficient is achieved. Comparing B/N dual doping film to B doping film, the stable formation of tribolayer with more strengthened deformation resistance results in the steady friction and the improved wear resistance, while the limited TMDs reorientation leads to the slight increase of friction coefficient.

Wear-resistant and stable low-friction nanodiamond composite superhard coatings against Al2O3 counter-body in dry condition

Conventional machining lubricants pose environmental hazards and increase production costs. This study addresses this challenge by investigating nanodiamond composite (NDC) coatings deposited on WC–Co substrates as a lubricant-free alternative for sustainable machining. The NDC films show superior hardness (65 GPa) compared to the substrate (22 GPa) and enhanced adhesion (HF2). The NDC's unique self-lubrication results in a low and stable friction coefficient (COF ≤ 0.095) and exceptional wear resistance (7.45 × 10−8 mm3/N·m) in dry tesing against Al2O3 counter-body. Compared to CVD diamond, NDC coatings show a 47.8 % reduction in COF and a 31.65 % enhancement in wear resistance, promoting environmentally friendly machining practices.

Improve wear resistance of C/C composites as artificial bone using diamond-like carbon coatings

In this study, diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings and silicon-doped diamond-like (Si-DLC) coatings were prepared on the surface of C/C composites by a combination of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and magnetron sputtering processes. The film composition, microstructure and atomic bond structure were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The mechanical properties and friction behavior related to the Si element were investigated using nanoindentation and HT-1000 high temperature friction and wear tester. The biocompatibility of the materials was also evaluated by the MG-63 proliferation test. The results indicate that Si elements were successfully incorporated into the DLC films, bonding with C and O atoms, which altered the thermal stability and microstructure of the coatings, reduced the internal stress of the films, and increased disorder. Compared to C/C composites, all coated layers exhibited lower coefficients of friction, with the formation of transfer layers and graphitization induced by friction contributing to the excellent tribological performance. Both coatings showed no cytotoxicity and demonstrated good biocompatibility. Both coatings are effective in reducing wear and chip losses in C/C composites when used as artificial bones. This work suggests that diamond-like carbon coated C/C composites can be excellent structural materials for human body in biomedical science.

Effects of Al variations on the microstructure and mechanical properties of laser-cladding AlxNbMo0.5Ti1.5Ta0.5Cr0.5 refractory high-entropy alloy coatings

Lightweight refractory high-entropy alloy coatings (RHEAcs) of AlXNbMo0.5Ti1.5Ta0.5Cr0.5 (where x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) were fabricated on 316L stainless steel surface by pre-placed powder laser cladding (LC) technology. The incorporation of Al element significantly enhanced the forming quality of coatings, resulting in nearly defect-free coatings with a thickness of 1.2-1.4mm. Microstructural analysis revealed that the coatings were primarily composed of body-centered cubic (BCC) solid solution and C15-Laves phase. Due to the influence of a single brittle BCC phase, the Al-free coating exhibited high strength and brittleness, leading to numerous defects caused by thermal stress. The introduction of Al element refined the microstructure and facilitated the formation of Laves phases at grain boundaries, thereby alleviating stress to a certain extent. Consequently, the microhardness of the RHEAcs was significantly higher than that of the substrate, with the Al-free coating achieving the highest microhardness of 1250 HV, which was 5.89 times that of the substrate. Wear resistance results indicated that, prior to annealing, RHEAcs with varying Al content outperformed 316L stainless steel. Post-annealing, the coatings exhibited significantly lower friction coefficients compared with the annealed 316L substrate. The Al-free coating showed significant accumulation of abrasive particles, leading to severe abrasive and oxidative wear. Conversely, post-annealing oxidation induced the formation of dense and directional oxide accumulation, resulting in a notable improvement in wear resistance. Finally, the underlying strengthening mechanisms have been proposed and analyzed.

Microstructure Evolution and Wear Behavior of Stellite12 Coating Prepared by Laser-Directed Energy Deposition on H13 Steel

Laser-directed energy deposition (LDED) was employed to apply a Stellite12 coating onto an H13 steel substrate. This study explored the effects of processing parameters on the dimensions of the deposited tracks. Comprehensive examinations were conducted on the coatings to assess their phase composition, microstructure, and wear resistance properties. The relationship between microstructural characteristics and thermal field was investigated through a synergy of numerical simulations and experimental analyses. The findings revealed that the Stellite12 coating displayed a heterogeneous microstructure with epitaxial growth and a slight texture across successive layers. The primary phase comprised a γ-Co solid solution and M23C6 carbides, contributing to a significant enhancement in hardness, which was observed to be 2.2 times higher than that of the substrate. The coating demonstrated superior performance in terms of lower friction coefficients and reduced wear rates at both room and elevated temperatures. The predominant wear mechanisms identified were oxidative wear. These results underscore the promising applications of Stellite12 coatings in industrial contexts facilitated by LDED technology.

Wear energy approach for evaluation of tribological properties of Cr2O3-TiO2 coating

Abstract In the present work, Cr2O3-TiO2 ceramic coating was deposited by atmospheric plasma spray (APS) method. Tribological response of coating was thoroughly examined using two different sizes of SiC abrasives under four distinct loads. Coatings were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. The coating experienced 31–40% lower friction coefficient at coarser particle size whereas 1.4–1.6 times lower wear rates were obtained at finer particle size. Results were explained on the basis of adhesion-abrasion components of friction. Consequences of formation of a tribo-oxide film and its implications on specific energy for material removal along with wear mechanisms are also discussed. A modified wear energy parameter (WEP) is used and showed good correlation with experimentally measured wear rates and friction coefficient of the coating.

The Effect of the Molecular Weight of Hyaluronic Acid on the Rheological and Tribological Properties of the Base for Artificial Synovial Fluid Preparations

Abstract The synovial fluid is responsible for adequately lubricating, moisturizing, and nutritional human joints. This liquid should have appropriate viscoelastic properties and ensure a low coefficient of friction in biotribological systems. Many artificial synovial fluid preparations used in viscosupplementation treatments are based on hyaluronic acid. This work aimed to evaluate the influence of molecular weight on the functional properties of solutions based on hyaluronic acid. 1% solutions based on hyaluronic acid with five different molecular weights from 50,000 Da to 2 MDa were made. Rheological (viscosity, viscoelasticity), tribological (coefficient of friction, wear assessment), and wettability tests were carried out. Significant differences were observed in the rheological tests, where the viscosity strictly depends on the molecular weight of the hyaluronic acid. It has been shown that the molecular weight of HA has little effect on the coefficient of friction. On the other hand, the differences in the tribological wear are much more significant. The molecular weight of biopolymers is one of the essential parameters in developing new artificial synovial fluids. Using a higher molecular weight of hyaluronic acid increases viscosity and wettability, resulting in less tribological wear.