Abstract: An aqueous composition for applying to and treating metallic substrates that does not include chrome or chromium-containing compounds, does not include an organic solvent, and promotes adhesion of overcoat layers that are applied to the metallic substrate. The composition is an aqueous solution that includes of two hydrolyzed silanes, and water, wherein the composition has a pH of less than or equal to 5 and is substantially free of organic solvent and any chromium-containing compound. Also provided is a method for applying a chromium-free treatment on a metallic substrate comprising mixing a cross-liking agent with the above-described composition and applying the resulting mixture to the metallic substrate, and drying the metallic substrate.

Abstract: Provided are methods for fabricating solid lubricant coatings capable of operating over a temperature range of at least 0.degree. to 600.degree. C. One embodiment comprises simultaneously applying a first solid lubricant and a second solid lubricant to a bearing surface, wherein the first solid lubricant has a normal operating temperature range of about -169.degree. to +350.degree. C. and the second solid lubricant has a normal operating temperature range of about 350.degree. to 700.degree. C. A second embodiment comprises applying multiple alternating layers of a first solid lubricant and a second solid lubricant to a bearing surface. A third embodiment comprises applying multiple alternating layers of (1) a first solid lubricant overlaid with a diffusion barrier and (2) a second solid lubricant overlaid with a diffusion barrier to a bearing surface.

Abstract: Thin films of solid lubricious metal chalcogenides, such as MoS.sub.2, are grown on stainless steel substrates by pulsed laser evaporation (P.L.E.). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of PLE deposited MoS.sub.2 films grown at substrate temperatures up to 300.degree. C. have the same stoichiometry as bulk MoS.sub.2. MoS.sub.2 PLE deposited films grown at 450.degree. C. are sulfur rich. These laser-deposited films have a granular structure and exhibit none of the dendritic structures typically observed in sputter-deposited films. The coefficients of friction of PLE films were measured in laboratory air and ranged from 0.09-0.25; the majority of values were between 0.16 and 0.20. These frictional coefficients are in the appropriate range for a solid lubricant.

Abstract: System and method for high vacuum sputtering combining magnetron sputtering and pulsed laser plasma deposition are described wherein simultaneous or sequential magnetron sputtering and pulsed laser deposition operations in a single ultra-high vacuum system provides high deposition rates with precise control of film morphology, stoichiometry, microstructure, composition gradient, and uniformity, in the deposition of high performance coatings of various metal, ceramic and diamond-like carbon materials.