Recent Progress on the Tribological Applications of Solid Lubricants

Abstract Nonrenewable energy has produced abundant waste during tribological applications because a large portion of energy has been consumed to overcome friction and wear. Solid lubricants have recently aroused significant interest due to their defined friction and wear properties. Despite enormous efforts on solid lubricants, their important contributions to coatings, bulk materials, oil/grease, and super-lubricity have not yet been fully evaluated. This paper discusses in detail the present status of solid lubricants as effective reinforcements in tribology. It begins with the introduction of various descriptions and advanced structures of solid lubricants. Afterwards, it discussed their applications on improving friction properties in coatings and bulk materials. Additionally, lubrication mechanisms of solid lubricants in oil/grease are highlighted, followed by the detailed discussion of super-lubricity for solid lubricants. Finally, this review concludes final outlooks on the main challenges and future directions in this key area.