High-Performance Lubrication Materials and Tribological Behaviour Under Extreme Conditions

Tribology—the science of friction, wear, and lubrication—is essential for keeping machines running smoothly and lasting longer. However, when machines face extreme conditions like very high or low temperatures and intense pressures, regular lubricants often aren’t enough. This can cause more wear and tear and even lead to failures.
To solve these challenges, researchers are developing advanced lubrication materials that can thrive in tough environments. Exciting new directions include:
o Nanolubricants, which use nanoparticles to upgrade lubrication at the smallest scales,
o Nanocoatings that protect surfaces and reduce friction,
o And green lubricants—biodegradable and non-toxic alternatives that work well without harming the environment.

Understanding how these materials perform in extreme conditions is especially important for fields like automotive, aerospace, and energy. Research in this area promises not only improved machine reliability and efficiency but also more sustainable and cost-effective solutions.

What This Research Topic Covers
This Research Topic brings together insights and innovations on lubrication materials for harsh environments. Key focus areas include:
1. High-Temperature Lubrication Materials and Technologies
o How do new lubricants and materials hold up at high temperatures?
o What solutions are emerging to keep friction low and performance high?

2. Friction and Wear Behavior Under High Pressure
o How do friction, wear, and lubrication mechanisms change under intense pressure?
o What are the best materials and techniques for heavy-duty industries like mining and energy?

3. Low-Temperature Lubrication and Tribological Characteristics
o How do lubricants perform in freezing or arctic conditions?
o What methods can optimize lubrication in the cold?

4. Applications of Nanolubrication Materials
o What’s new in nanolubricants and nanocoatings?
o How do these materials improve performance in extreme settings?

5. Development and Application of Green Lubricants
o How can we design lubricants that protect machines and the environment?
o What are the latest developments in sustainable lubrication?


Article Types Accepted
We welcome a variety of article types, including:
o Brief Research Reports
o Methods
o Mini Reviews
o Opinions
o Original Research
o Perspectives
o Reviews

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Materials, Self-lubricating systems, Surface coatings, Tribological failure, Adaptive lubrication, Multiphysics modeling, High-Performance Lubrication Materials, Tribological Behavior, Extreme Conditions, High-Temperature Lubrication, Low-Temperature, Nanolubricants, Nanocoatings, Green Lubricants

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.