Research progress of graphene in metal-based solid self-lubricating composites

Graphene is the thinnest, strongest, toughest, two-dimensional nanomaterial with the best heat transfer and electrical conductivity discovered so far. The application of graphene to metal-based solid self-lubricating composites has become a hot research direction recently. This paper reviews the application of graphene in metal-based solid self-lubricating composite substrates and coatings, summarizes the strengthening and wear-reducing mechanisms of graphene, clarifies the problems encountered now, and looks forward to the development direction in the field of metal-based solid self-lubricating composites.