Abstract: A method for reducing sliding friction of threaded fasteners according to the present invention includes the steps of providing a threadless austenitic stainless steel blank, coating the surface of the blank with a lamellar solid material, such as molybdenum disulfide, by introducing the threadless blank into a solution of molybdenum disulfide suspended within a carrying agent such as isopropanol or n-Butyl alcohol, heating the coated fastener to accelerate evaporation of the carrying agent, and forming threads into the coated surface using a thread rolling technique characterized by moving the blank through a series of traversing serrated dies moving in opposite directions parallel to one another to exert pressure on the coated surface, thereby both forming threads without removing metal from the surface, and impregnating the surface and near surface structure with the low friction species. Fasteners manufactured according to the present method exhibit reduced sliding friction and increased clamping force.

Abstract: A solid lubricant such as MoS.sub.2 is applied to certain carbon and stainless steels after surface voids have been produced in the material by one or two annealings before final cold working the material to finished size. The latter operation imbeds or includes the lubricant into the material and thereby provides a superior lubricated steel for piston rings, shaft, valve stem, spring, stranded wire, and the like applications. The technique involved may also employ corrosion inhibiting agents to increase resistance to corrosion of the steel as well as to impove its lubricity.

Abstract: A method of treating the surface of a metal sliding contact which involves the immersion of the metal contact in an acid bath, in the presence of an electrolytic current to produce pockets bounded by crystalline projections. A lubricant is applied to the contact to fill the pockets therein and the crystalline projections are bent over to trap the lubricant.