Skiing-inspired robust lubricating composite coatings from thermally sprayed ceramic template

Inspired by the mechanism of skiing, herein, a novel composite coating with excellent lubrication properties was developed by incorporating solid-liquid reversible lubricating phases into the inherent microcracks and pores of thermally sprayed ceramic coatings. The results indicate that the crystalline-amorphous heterostructure formed within the micro-nano cracks, enhancing their cohesive strength and toughness. Compared to traditional ceramic coatings, the friction coefficient of the composite coating has been reduced by 80 %, while the wear rate decreased from 2.89 × 10 −4 to 6.44 × 10 −7 mm 3 ∙N −1 ∙m −1 . Under the applied load and friction-induced heat, a thin liquid lubrication film is formed. Importantly, the lubricating phase continuously overflows from defects under the induction of frictional heat to replenish the lubricating film, ensuring long-term lubrication of the coating.