Abstract: Methods for forming carbon-based lubricious and/or wear-protective films in situ on the surface of steel alloys are provided. The methods use chromium-containing steel alloys, molybdenum-containing steel alloys, and steel alloys that contain both copper and nickel. When such alloys are subjected to a rubbing motion in the presence of a hydrocarbon fluid, the chromium, molybdenum, copper, and nickel in the steel alloy catalyzes the formation of solid carbon-containing films that reduce the friction, wear, or both of the contacting surfaces.

Abstract: A lubricant composition includes a base lubricant and a plurality of lubricant additive molecules functioning as precursor molecules to induce tribopolymerization and forming in situ protective tribofilm with desirable robustness and low shear resistance. Each lubricant additive molecule includes one or more surface-active groups attractable to target surface, and a carbon containing component operable connected to the one or more surface active groups. The carbon containing component comprise a carbon ring structure having a high ring strain that is metastable and activatable with a ring-opening reaction. A less stable carbon ring structure is more readily activated to the intermediate state, preferable to form more active fragments. Increasing the adsorption strength further is beneficial to prolonging the residence time of additive molecules on the target surface, thereby facilitating the dissociation of molecules and subsequent polymerization.

Abstract: Methods for forming carbon-based lubricious and/or wear-protective films in situ on the surface of steel alloys are provided. The methods use chromium-containing steel alloys, molybdenum-containing steel alloys, and steel alloys that contain both copper and nickel. When such alloys are subjected to a rubbing motion in the presence of a hydrocarbon fluid, the chromium, molybdenum, copper, and nickel in the steel alloy catalyzes the formation of solid carbon-containing films that reduce the friction, wear, or both of the contacting surfaces.

Abstract: A method of reducing viability of a microbe is provided. An illustrative method comprises contacting a microbe with an antimicrobial surface comprising a copper-alloy steel comprising an iron matrix and copper nanoprecipitates distributed throughout the iron matrix, wherein the copper-alloy steel comprises: Cu in a range from 0.5 weight % to 5.0 weight %; C in a range from 0.03 weight % to 0.10 weight %; Mn in a range from 0.20 weight % to 5.0 weight %; Ni in a range from 0.0 weight % to 6.0 weight %; Al in a range from 0.0 weight % to 4.0 weight %; Nb in a range from 0.0 weight % to 0.10 weight %; Si in a range from 0.0 weight % to 2.0 weight %; Mo in a range from 0.0 weight % to 2.0 weight %; Ti in a range from 0.0 weight % to 2.0 weight %; V in a range from 0.0 weight % to 2.0 weight %; Cr in a range from 0.0 weight % to 8.0 weight %; and a balance of Fe. The antimicrobial surfaces are also provided.

Abstract: A lubricant composition includes a base lubricant and a plurality of lubricant additive molecules functioning as precursor molecules to induce tribopolymerization and forming in situ protective tribofilm with desirable robustness and low shear resistance. Each lubricant additive molecule includes one or more surface-active groups attractable to target surface, and a carbon containing component operable connected to the one or more surface active groups. The carbon containing component comprise a carbon ring structure having a high ring strain that is metastable and activatable with a ring-opening reaction. A less stable carbon ring structure is more readily activated to the intermediate state, preferable to form more active fragments. Increasing the adsorption strength further is beneficial to prolonging the residence time of additive molecules on the target surface, thereby facilitating the dissociation of molecules and subsequent polymerization.