Superior Tribological Performance Research Articles

Tribomechanical characterization of ceramic reinforced composite coatings for modification of cylinder liner of heavy-duty diesel engines

Heavy-duty diesel engines are essential mechanic power generation tools for industry and transporting freight and passengers. Therefore, increasing engine efficiency and minimizing maintenance and repair costs is crucial. This study examines and characterizes three thermal spray coatings (Cr3C2/NiCr, NiCr, and Al2O3/TiO2) utilized on cylindrical gray cast iron substrate specimens. The coatings were tested for their microstructural (optical microstructure, SEM, EDS, XRD, and AFM topography), mechanical (nanoindentation and nano scratch), and tribological (short and long-distance wear test) properties. Microstructural tests showed that an average coating thickness of 120 to 170 µm was successfully achieved on the cast iron base substrate using different thermal coating methods. The Cr3C2/NiCr coating, observed through the AFM mapping method, achieved the most uniform roughness distribution on the surface. The elasticity of the coatings was measured with a nanoindentation test, and Al2O3/TiO2 coating exhibited high rigidness (177 GPa). The nano scratch test showed that the highest load-carrying capacity was achieved with the Cr3C2/NiCr coated sample. NiCr-coated sample exhibited approximately similar rigidness (61 GPa) to cast iron (67 GPa). Short- and long-distance wear tests showed that the coatings provided significantly better wear resistance than the cast iron base. The coatings’ efficacy was evident. At the long-distance tests, while the cast iron base sample had a wear rate of 19.874 (10−7mm3/Nm), the wear rates of Al2O3/TiO2, Cr3C2/NiCr, and NiCr coatings were 3.835, 4.020, and 6.466 (10−7mm3/Nm), respectively. The Al2O3/TiO2 and Cr3C2/NiCr coatings had superior tribological performance than the NiCr coating, yet the NiCr coating showed much higher wear performance than the uncoated base. The Cr3C2/NiCr coating exhibited superior tribomechanical performance in all the coatings.

Frictional Wear Behavior of Water-Lubrication Resin Matrix Composites under Low Speed and Heavy Load Conditions.

Resin matrix composites are commonly utilized in water-lubricated stern tube bearings for warship propulsion systems. Low-speed and high-load conditions are significant factors influencing the tribological properties of stern tube bearings. The wear characteristics of resin-based laminated composites (RLCs), resin-based winding composites (RWCs), and resin-based homogeneous polymer (RHP) blocks were investigated under simulated environmental conditions using a ring-on-block wear tester. Simulated seawater was prepared by combining sodium chloride with distilled water. The wetting angle, coefficient of friction (COF), and mass loss were measured and compared. Additionally, their surface morphologies were examined. The results indicate a significant increase in the COFs for the three materials with an increased speed or load under dry conditions. The COF of the RLCs is the lowest, indicating that it has superior self-lubricating properties. In wet conditions, the COFs of the three materials decrease with an increasing speed or load, exhibiting a pronounced hydrodynamic effect. The COF and mass loss of RWCs are the highest, while RLCs and RHP exhibit lower COFs and mass loss values. The reticulated texture and flocculent fibers on the surface of RLC enhance the heat diffusion and improve the material wettability and water storage capacity. The surface of RWC is dense, and the friction area under dry conditions is melted and brightened. The surface of RHP is smooth, while the worn material forms an agglomerate and exhibits susceptibility to burning and blackening under dry conditions. The laminated formation method demonstrates superior tribological performance throughout the wear evolution process.

Superlubricity of multilayer titanium doped DLC coatings by using low SAPS organic additives in base oil

This study systematically investigates the tribological performance of titanium doped diamond-like carbon monolayer and multilayer coatings with superior mechanical properties. The coatings were lubricated in poly alpha olefin grade 4 (PAO4) base oil, containing three concentrations of two organic, ashless, and sulfur free (low SAPS) antiwear, and extreme pressure additives with different amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen (Duraphos® 178 and Duraphos® OAP). The multilayer Ti-doped DLC coatings exhibited superior tribological performance compared to uncoated steel, undoped DLC, and monolayer Ti-DLC coatings. They exhibited coefficient of friction values which were in the range of 0.013 and 0.006 (superlubricity) for formulations with Duraphos® OAP. Duraphos® 178 significantly lowered the specific wear rates of both the monolayer and multilayer coatings.

Strengthening mechanism of different morphologies of nano-sized MSH on tribological performance of phosphate/MoS2 bonded solid lubricating coatings

Magnesium silicate hydroxides (MSHs) with granular, schistose, and tubular morphologies were separately incorporated to enhance the tribological properties of phosphate/MoS2 composite coatings. The nano-schistose MSH demonstrated superior tribological performance due to its effective interactions with the worn surface and frictional synergies with solid lubricants. Incorporation of nano-schistose MSH decreased the friction coefficient of composite coatings by about 34.7% and increased the anti-wear performance of composite coatings by about thirteen times. Nano-schistose MSH facilitated the formation of a friction-induced multi-layer heterogenous slipping structure with layered solid lubricants at the friction interface. Moreover, tribo-chemical reactions between nano-schistose MSH and worn surface promoted the in-situ formation of a cermet supporting film, and this also induced the gradual in-situ formation of a lubrication film on the top of worn surface. Consequently, the contact state between tribo-pairs was timely regulated and the invalidation of the nanocomposite slipping structure was effectively restrained during the friction process. As a result, the service life of the phosphate composite coatings was significantly extended and further abrasion on the worn surface was notably reduced.

Enhancing tribological performance of high‐density polyethylene polymer with diamond‐like carbon coating and mollusk shells filler

AbstractThis study explores the tribological properties of mollusk‐shell‐high‐density polyethylene (MS‐HDPE) biocomposites and diamond‐like carbon (DLC)‐coated metal beads as potential substitutes for hip joint prostheses. HDPE biocomposites with 0, 5, and 10 wt% of MS were developed using hot compression molding. Coatings included pure DLC, DLC‐Si, and DLC W:H. Wear tests on a ball‐on‐disk tribometer examined friction and wear rates against coated and uncoated balls, along with wear morphology. MS‐HDPE demonstrated superior tribological performance against DLC, achieving a 67% reduction in specific wear rate compared to pure HDPE. The study suggests that 5 wt% MS‐HDPE coupled with a DLC‐coated counterpart coating could be a promising combination for orthopedic applications, presenting a potential solution to metal corrosion and wear debris issues in orthopedic implants.Highlights Tested coatings: DLC, DLC‐Si, and DLC W:H. Biocomposite wear versus coated balls. DLC coating improves wear with shell fillers. Mollusk shell strengthens biocomposites. Reduced wear rate by 63% and friction by 77%.

One-step hydrothermal fabrication of Co-MOFs/LDH superhydrophobic composite coating with corrosion resistance and wear resistance on anodic aluminum oxide

In recent years, metal–organic framework materials (MOFs) have garnered significant attention in the field of metal corrosion protection. In this study, novel Co-MOFs were synthesized using cobalt nitrate as the metal source and 4,4′-bipyridine as the organic ligand. A one-step solvothermal method was employed to synthesize a black MOFs/LDH composite coating, integrating corrosion resistance, friction reduction, and hydrophobicity into a single coating. The successful reaction between metal ions and organic ligands was confirmed through FTIR, FE-SEM, EDX, XRD, and XPS characterization tests. Cross-sectional SEM and EDX analyses demonstrated the successful synthesis of the coating. Electrochemical tests indicated that after 14 days of immersion in 3.5 wt% NaCl, the composite coating exhibited the lowest corrosion current of 2.23 × 10−9 A∙cm−2, outperforming the aluminum substrate (5.99 × 10−6 A∙cm−2) and anodized aluminum (7.08 × 10−7 A∙cm−2). Hydrophobicity tests showed that without additional modification with low surface energy substances, the composite coating had a contact angle of 154.7°, demonstrating excellent hydrophobicity. Tribological tests revealed that the composite coating exhibited superior tribological performance, with a friction coefficient of 0.3.

Investigation of microstructure, mechanical, and tribological properties of MoSi2-reinforced copper-graphene composites

The MoSi2-reinforced copper-graphene composites (Cu-MoSi2-GNS) were prepared using mechanical ball milling and spark plasma sintering techniques. The effects of MoSi2 content on the microstructure, electrical conductivity, mechanical performance, and tribological properties were systematically investigated. Results indicate that the addition of MoSi2 significantly enhanced strength and hardness, although slightly reducing electrical conductivity. When the MoSi2 content does not exceed 5 wt%, MoSi2 is uniformly dispersed, refining copper matrix grains and improving GNS dispersion. Optimal MoSi2 addition facilitates the formation of a stable subsurface structure with complete mechanical mixture layer, improving wear resistance and self-lubricating properties. The main wear mechanism shifts from adhesive to abrasive wear. At 5 wt% MoSi2, the Cu-MoSi2-GNS composites exhibits superior mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, and tribological performance.

Effects of differently shaped textures on the tribological properties of static and dynamic pressure thrust bearings and multiobjective optimization

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate three types of textures designed to enhance the tribological performance of static and dynamic pressure thrust bearings.Design/methodology/approachTo explore the effects of different types of textures on tribological performance, the Reynolds equation is modified using lubrication theory and computational fluid dynamics methods while considering the influence of cavitation and turbulence on the physical field. In addition, the tribological performance is optimized through an improved selection algorithm based on Pareto envelope (PESA).FindingsThe results indicate that textured thrust bearings exhibit superior tribological performance compared to untextured ones. The circular texture outperforms other textures in terms of load-bearing and friction performance, with improvements of approximately 28.8% and 18.9%, respectively. In addition, the triangular texture exhibits the most significant temperature improvement, with a reduction of approximately 1.93%.Originality/valueThe study proposes three types of textures and evaluates the friction performance of thrust bearings by modifying the Reynolds equation. In addition, the optimal texture design is determined using an improved selection algorithm based on PESA.

Oxygen concentration – A governing parameter for microstructural tailoring of duplex AlCrSiON coatings for superior mechanical, tribological, and anti-corrosion performance

This study investigates the impact of increasing oxygen levels on structure, and mechanical properties and tribological performance of duplex AlCrSiON coatings. AISI H13 steel and tungsten carbide substrates are coated using arc ion plating with increasing oxygen flow rate up to 200 sccm with varying oxygen concentration. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and three-dimensional profilometer are used to study morphological and structural evolution. Correspondingly, the coatings are assessed for hardness, adhesion strength, friction coefficient, and resistance against corrosion and wear. A 50–100 sccm oxygen flow rate is considered as an optimal range to receive lower surface roughness. Generally, the addition of oxygen has compromised hardness and friction coefficient but improve adhesion strength, wear and corrosion resistance with increasing oxygen concentration. The immersion tests have identified pitting corrosion as a dominating failure mechanism for AlCrSiON coatings when exposed to molten A380 aluminium alloy. This corrosion resistance stems from their dense microstructure, excellent thermal stability, and the presence of fcc-(Al, Cr)2O3 phase structure. This study demonstrates that controlled oxygen concentration is a crucial parameter for tuning the microstructure of AlCrSiON coatings to achieve superior mechanical, tribological, and anti-corrosion performance, particularly for high-pressure die-casting applications.

Enhancing tribological performance of hybrid fiber-reinforced composites through machine learning and response surface methodology

This study delves into the significant effects of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment on the tribological properties of hybrid fiber-reinforced composites, specifically focusing on the combination of paddy straw (PS) and pineapple leaf (PALF) in a polyester matrix. By leveraging Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to predict the Specific Wear Rate (SWR) and Coefficient of Friction (COF), the research employs a grid search approach for hyperparameter optimization. This optimization process results in an optimal ANN architecture with impressive accuracy, showcasing low mean absolute error and high R-squared values of 0.991 and 0.986 for SWR and COF predictions, respectively. Utilizing the Design of Experiments (DOE), the study systematically analyzes the intricate interplay of disc speed, wear duration, and NaOH treatment percentage, with a specific focus on SWR and COF as pivotal tribological metrics. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) results underscore the substantial impact of duration and treatment percentage on wear characteristics. Additionally, quadratic regression models reveal nuanced correlations, highlighting the sensitivity of SWR to NaOH percentage and the influence of disc speed, duration, and treatment percentage on COF. This outcome emphasizes the efficacy of these parameters in achieving superior tribological performance in hybrid composites. Beyond contributing to a profound understanding of wear characteristics, this work introduces an innovative dimension through optimized ANN modeling, ensuring a more accurate and fine-tuned predictive model.

Insights into room- and elevated-temperature micro-mechanisms of laser shock peened M50 steel with superior tribological performance

M50 steel, commonly utilized in aircraft engine bearings, is susceptible to friction-induced failures, particularly in high-temperature service conditions. To address this issue, various strategies have been proposed, with laser shock peening (LSP) garnering significant attention due to its deeper residual stress penetration and excellent surface integrity, whereas the underlying strengthening mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we systematically investigate the impact of LSP treatment on the tribological properties of M50 steel at temperatures of 25 and 300 °C, alongside elucidating the relevant micro-mechanisms. Microstructural analysis reveals that laser impact strengthening primarily arises from dislocation proliferation, resulting in a surface hardness increase of approximately 14 % and the formation of a substantial compressive stress layer reaching a maximum value of about 1200 MPa, with a depth of around 2 mm. Friction test results demonstrate reduced coefficients of friction and wear rates following LSP treatment at both temperatures. Notably, a more pronounced reduction is observed at 300 °C, with values decreasing by 41.4 % and 55.8 %, respectively. The enhanced performance is attributed to the synergistic interplay of compressive residual stresses, work-hardening layers, increased density of dislocations, and substantial microstructure refinement.

Influence of B4C and ZrB2 reinforcements on microstructural, mechanical and wear behaviour of AA 2014 aluminium matrix hybrid composites

Considering their affordability and high strength-to-weight ratio, lightweight aluminium alloys are the subject of intensive research aimed at improving their properties for use in the aerospace industry. This research effort aims to develop novel hybrid composites based on AA 2014 alloy through the use of liquid metallurgy stir casting to reinforce dual ceramic particles of Zirconium Diboride (ZrB2) and Boron Carbide (B4C). The weight percentage (wt%) of ZrB2 was varied (0, 5, 10, and 15), while a constant 5 wt% of B4C was maintained during this fabrication. The as-cast samples have been assessed using an Optical Microscope (OM) and a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). The properties such as hardness, tensile strength, and wear characteristics of stir cast specimens were assessed to examine the impact of varying weight percentages of reinforcements in AA 2014 alloy. In particular, dry sliding wear behaviour was evaluated considering varied loads using a pin-on-disc tribotester. As the weight % of ZrB2 grew and B4C was incorporated, hybrid composites showed higher hardness, tensile strength, and wear resistance. Notably, the incorporation of a cumulative reinforcement consisting of 15 wt% ZrB2 and 5 wt% B4C resulted in a significant 31.86% increase in hardness and a 44.1% increase in tensile strength compared to AA 2014 alloy. In addition, it has been detected that wear resistance of hybrid composite pin (containing 20 wt% cumulative reinforcement) is higher than that of other stir cast wear test pins during the whole range of applied loads. Fractured surfaces of tensile specimens showed ductile fracture in the AA 2014 matrix and mixed mode for hybrid composites. Worn surfaces obtained employing higher applied load indicated abrasive wear with little plastic deformation for hybrid composites and dominant adhesive wear for matrix alloy. Hence, the superior mechanical and tribological performance of hybrid composites can be attributed to dual reinforcement particles being dispersed well and the effective transmission of load at this specific composition.

Comparative analysis of the solid lubrication performance - Ti3AlC2 versus Ti3C2Tx coatings

Due to the long-standing use of MAX phase materials since the 1960s and the emergence of MXenes in 2011, both are celebrated for their extraordinary mechano-tribological properties, including layered structures, high mechanical strength, and thermal conductivity. Nevertheless, there remains a crucial research gap in comprehensively comparing their tribological performance under solid lubrication, underscoring the need for an in-depth investigation. To close this research gap, we deposited MAX phase and MXene coatings by spray-coating on stainless-steel substrates. Subsequently, we evaluated their tribological properties, deciphered the underlying mechanisms using linear-reciprocating tribometry and high-resolution material characterizations. Our results demonstrated that the MXene coatings surpass the MAX phase coating in friction reduction by 81.82 %. In terms of wear depth, MXene coating has shown a notably reduced depth compared to both the reference steel sample and the MAX phase coating. Advanced tribochemical analysis indicates that MXenes' superior tribological performance is endorsed by their ability to form a thick, patchy-like transferlayer on the counterbody, which results from their ability to shear and delaminate under acting contact stress. Our study offers a framework for future investigations into utilizing MXene-based materials in tribological applications.

Tribological performance of fatty acid ammonium ionic liquids as anti-wear additives in water-based fluids

In this study, we synthesized eight water-soluble ionic liquids (ILs) and investigated their tribological performance as additives in water-diethylene glycol (WDG) base fluids. The results of the tribological test suggested that these ILs additives demonstrate promising capabilities in friction reduction and anti-wear for water lubricated contacts. The ILs with the longest carboxylic chain length, namely C10MIPA and C10DIPA in this work, displayed superior tribological performances. Observations on the abraded surfaces showed that the IL forms a monolayer adsorption through self-assembly, and upon rubbing it creates a continuous and stable tribo-film with an uneven thickness of 30–60 nm through tribo-chemical reactions. The tribo-film mainly consists of iron oxides. The proposed lubrication mechanisms include adsorbed film and formed tribo-films, which work effectively to reduce the shear stress and thus sliding friction.

Tribological Performance of Copper-Based Composites as Tribopairs of Piston Pumps

To develop superior piston pump friction pair materials in harsh working conditions, the tribological properties of two novel copper-based composites, C93800 copper alloy casting material and 10–10 powder metallurgy copper steel bimetallic plate, as tribo-pairs of a piston pump were evaluated on an end-face tribometer. Their tribological behavior and extreme pressure x velocity (PV) values (PV value is an important indicator that reflects the performance of sliding bearings and is the product of the unit bearing load and the restricted linear speed) were analyzed. The results show that both the two copper-based composites had excellent antifriction and antiwear performances. The 10–10 powder metallurgy copper steel bimetallic plate shows better wear resistance and superior tribological performance due to its higher hardness. However, its extreme PV value is lower than the C93800 copper alloy casting material, since the latter can play a buffer during the loading process. In addition, the extreme PV value of the C93800 copper alloy casting material amounted to 40 MPa·m/s, showing promising potential for industrial application.

A novel 2D/2D MoS2/CeO2 nanohybrid and its lubricating mechanism in green rapeseed oil

The incomplete stacking of two distinct types of two-dimensional (2D) layered materials to form a 2D/2D nanohybrid, accompanied by the generation of ultra-low friction at the interface, offers a novel solution for designing lubricants with superior tribological performance. This work utilized a facile and gentle method to synthesize MoS2 and CeO2 nanosheets with varying sizes, which were then stacked to form 2D/2D nanohybrid. This nanohybrid was employed as dispersant additives in eco-friendly lubricant to effectively reduce friction. The tribological testing results revealed that this nanohybrid exhibited remarkable reductions in the average coefficient of friction (COF) and wear rate of rapeseed oil, compared to single MoS2 or CeO2. At a 1.5 wt% addition of MoS2/CeO2, the average COF and wear rate decreased to the lowest value, respectively. Moreover, the frictional behaviors of the rapeseed oil containing MoS2/CeO2 nanohybrid under various sliding conditions were explored as well. By analyzing the microstructure and composition of the counterparts’ surfaces, a lubrication mechanism for 2D/2D nanohybrid of MoS2/CeO2 was proposed. This research might promote the application of MoS2/CeO2 nanohybrid as additive for ecologically friendly lubricants.

Designing hydrogen-free diamond like multilayer carbon coatings for superior mechanical and tribological performance

Diamond like carbon (DLC) coatings are extensively employed for their outstanding mechanical and tribological properties. To overcome the inherent high residual stress, therefore brittleness, DLC coatings with multilayer architecture were developed in the form of stacking alternate hard and soft layers to avoid premature failure under severe loading conditions. The current study was designed to investigate the impact of bilayer thickness (hard & soft) on wear of multilayer DLC particularly at high contact stress (2.0 GPa, 2.7 GPa, 3.0 GPa, 3.4 GPa). Seven DLC multilayer (1:1 bilayer ratio) samples with 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 bilayers were deposited on 440C steel and the overall coating thickness was mainatined at ∼1 µm. Moreover, the bilayer thickness effect was determined on mechanical, scratch adhesion and structural properties. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to visualize discrete hard and soft layers in 80 bilayers (∼6 nm thin layer). G peak suppression and ID/IG increment were observed with reduction in bilayer thickness. Hardness, modulus, elastic strain to failure (H/E), plastic deformation resistance (H3/E2) and residual stresses showed an inverse relation with bilayer thickness. Furthermore, micro scratch adhesion decreases with layer thickness reduction. Only 100 nm and above bilayer thickness samples (1, 2, 5, 10 bilayers) could survive under high contact stress while the other three (20, 40, 80 bilayers) showed brittle failure using pin-on-disc tribometer. Additionally, 10 bilayers (100 nm thickness) produced the minimum wear (∼7.9 ×10−8 mm3/Nm) at 80 N.

Extremely low friction and wear enabled by 4-dodecylphenol functionalized magnesium oxide nanolubricant for steel tribopairs

Friction and wear are the main reasons for energy dissipation and the premature failure of mechanical assemblies; thus, it is desirable to achieve extremely low friction and wear in a variety of practical applications. The results in this work demonstrate that 4-dodecylphenol functionalized magnesium oxide (MgO) nanolubricant is capable of achieving extremely low friction (about 0.05) and wear rate (100 μm3/N·m) for bearing steel tribopairs. Magnesium oxide nanoparticles are well dispersed in base oil as 4-dodecylphenol could interact with particles through the phenol group via charge transfer. The superior tribological performance originates because MgO nanoparticles could exist stably between the friction interfaces, preventing the direct contacts of asperity peaks and reducing the real contact area. Furthermore, the interlayered MgO nanoparticles are also beneficial to smoothing the friction surfaces via the micro-polishing process, effectively reducing the specific contact pressure and hindering the occurrence of serious adhesive wear. Careful observation of the wear surfaces on tribopairs demonstrates the role of MgO nanoparticles in tribological performance improvement and the lubrication mechanism. Our result is beneficial to paving the way to the large-scale application of MgO nanolubricants and the realization of extremely low friction and wear.

Mechanical behavior, tribological properties, and thermal stability of (AlCrNbSiTiVZr)N high entropy alloy nitride coatings and their application to Inconel 718 milling

(AlCrNbSiTiVZr)N high entropy alloy nitride coatings were deposited on silicon wafers and WC substrates using a radio-frequency magnetron sputtering system with nitrogen flow rates of 0, 10, 15, and 20 sccm (coating codes: N0, N10, N15, and N20, respectively). The coatings were subsequently annealed in a vacuum at 950 °C for 1 h (coating codes: HN0, HN10, HN15, and HN20). The effects of the nitrogen flow rate on the composition, microstructure, mechanical properties, and tribological properties of the coatings were systematically examined. The N0 and N10 coatings had amorphous structures, whereas the N15 and N20 coatings had FCC structures. Among the as-deposited coatings, the N20 coating exhibited excellent mechanical properties and a superior tribological performance. All the annealed coatings showed an FCC structure and formed a V2O5 solid lubricant layer in ball-on-disk sliding tests. The lubricant layer reduced the coefficient of friction and led to a smooth friction curve. The annealed coatings additionally showed a high hardness, good adhesion strength, and excellent thermal stability. The mechanical and tribological properties of the HN20 coating were particularly impressive. In Inconel 718 milling trials, the N20-coated cutter showed an excellent machining performance, with significantly reduced flank wear, notch wear, and built-up edge adhesion.

Polymeric Coatings With Superior Tribological Performance for Lightweight Materials in HFO-1234yf Refrigerant

As global warming concerns continue to rise, research has shifted toward developing more climate-friendly refrigerants for air-conditioning and refrigeration compressors, with HFO-1234yf being a prominent candidate. In line with the need for lightweight engineering in electric vehicles, advanced composite coatings are necessary to improve the surface properties of parts and system components made from light metals such as magnesium and aluminum, which typically have poor tribological performance. This study investigates the tribological performance of advanced polymeric coatings (aromatic thermosetting copolyester [ATSP]-, polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE]-, and polyether ether ketone [PEEK]-based) on lightweight aluminum alloy substrates in the presence of HFO-1234yf refrigerant and polyalkylene glycol (PAG) lubricant under starved lubrication conditions. Using a high-pressure tribometer, scuffing pressure, friction, and wear experiments were conducted, with all three coatings exhibiting excellent tribological performance compared to the bare substrate. Notably, PEEK and ATSP coatings demonstrated superior performance with high load-to-failure, low coefficient of friction, and negligible wear. Results also showed ATSP to have superior durability against a broad range of stress levels, while PEEK coating partially wears out at higher stress levels. These findings provide valuable insights for developing robust coatings on lightweight materials for high-stress applications.