Abstract: A method and composition for producing a monolithic hybrid composite consisting of a composite matrix, a reinforcement phase, and a solid/self-lubrication phase. The composition may comprise a graphite (“C”) phase and a titanium carbide (“TiC”) phase in a nickel (“Ni”) matrix. The process may include the step of blending pure Ni and pure titanium (“Ti”) powders with Ni-coated graphite powder using Laser Engineered Net Shaping (“LENS”).

Abstract: A sliding structural member is provided which achieves a good low frictional property. A DLC film 2 containing hydrogen is provided on one member 11 between members sliding against each other, and the one member and a counterpart member 12 are combined in such a way that the DLC film 2 provided on the one member 11 slides against the counterpart member via a lubricant 3 to which organic molybdenum compound and compound containing zinc and sulfur are added as an additive. A root mean square roughness of a surface of the DLC film 2 is set in a range from 5 nm or more to 25 nm or less, and hydrogen content of the DLC film 2 is set in a range from 4.5 at % (atomic %) or more to 30 at % or less.

Abstract: A nanostructure, being either an Inorganic Fullerene-like (IF) nanostructure or an Inorganic Nanotube (INT), having the formula A1?x-Bx-chalcogenide are described. A being a metal or transition metal or an alloy of metals and/or transition metals, B being a metal or transition metal B different from that of A and x being ?0.3. A process for their manufacture and their use for modifying the electronic character of A-chalcogenide are described.

Abstract: An anti-seizing agent including: a first solid lubricant containing at least one of bismuth and a bismuth compound; and a second solid lubricant containing at least one of graphite, molybdenum disulfide and boron nitride. The anti-seizing agent satisfies the relationships 20 weight %?a?90 weight % and 10 weight %?d?80 weight %, in which a sum of the contents of the first solid lubricant and the second solid lubricant in the anti-seizing agent is taken as 100 weight %, and a represents a content of the first solid lubricant and d represents a content of the second solid lubricant.

Abstract: Spray material for thermally coating a substrate, a thermal spray layer, and a cylinder for a reciprocating piston combustion engine coated with the thermal spray layer. The spray material includes a solid lubricant of ZnO. A volume fraction of ZnO in the spray material lies in a range from 0.1% to 15% of the volume of the spray material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide textured surfaces to be lubricated, the texturing to enhance the effectiveness of the intended nano-lubrication. The texturing may make asperities and depressions in the surface to be lubricated. This texturing may be executed, for example, by chemical etching, laser etching, or other techniques. This texturing may create locations in the lubricated surface to hold or anchor the intended nano-lubricants, to facilitate the creation of a tribo-film on the surface when the lubricated surface is used under pressure, and resulting in delivery of multiple chemistries from the nano-lubricant.

Abstract: A method and chemical composition and material structure for improving fretting wear in substrates, particularly carbon-carbon composite (CCC). The invention relates to trilayer coatings, comprising a base of hard ZrO2, a middle layer of Al2O3, and atop layer of lubricious ZnO. The coatings of the present invention exhibit conformality and pore-filling down to approximately 100 microns into a carbon-carbon composite to which they are applied. The methods for preparing the coatings include a chemical vapor infiltration route, such as an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process, to uniformly and conformally coat the porous and open structure of CCC with a solid lubricant trilayer of ZnO/Al2O3/ZrO2 that results in significant improvement (65%) in fretting wear.

Abstract: A lubricant oil composition containing an organic molybdenum compound which contains at least either one of a nitrogen (N) atom and an oxygen (O) atom in the molecule thereof and which may optionally contain a sulfur (S) atom, wherein a sulfur content of the organic molybdenum compound is 0.5% by mass or less based on the organic molybdenum compound. The lubricant oil composition, when used as a lubricant oil for a low-friction sliding material, exhibits an extremely low friction coefficient. A sliding mechanism having excellent low-friction property and wear resistance can be provided by combining the lubricant oil composition and a sliding member having a DLC film on its sliding face.

Abstract: [Task] Seizure resistance of sliding material based on graphite-added resin is improved. [Means for Solution] A sliding material based on graphite-added resin has composition (1); graphite: average particle diameter of from 5 to 50 ?m, a degree of graphitization of 0.6 or more, the number of graphite particles having a minimum diameter/maximum diameter ratio of 0.5 or more amounts to 50% or more of the total number of the graphite particles observed in a photograph of an optional cross section, content 5 to 60% by weight, as well as composition (2). balance of polyimide resin and/or polyamide-imide resin.

Abstract: A slide member having a substrate and a sliding layer formed on at least a sliding surface side of the substrate. The sliding layer comprises a resin composition comprising a polyamide-imide resin and an organically modified layered clay mineral dispersed uniformly in the polyamide-imide resin, and a solid lubricant held by the resin composition. The resin composition has an average linear expansion coefficient of between 3.12 and 5×10-5/° C. in the range from 100 to 200 ° C. The process for producing a slide member comprises coating at least the sliding surface side of a mixture of a resin solution comprising a polyamide-imide resin and a solvent for dissolving the polyamide-imide resin, solid lubricant powder, and an organically modified layered clay mineral; and subsequently removing the solvent of the coating composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surface-oxide abrasion-resistant lubricant coating that can maintain high lubricity for a long time without wear of a base material and a coating or damage to an object to be contacted by a simpler method and with less expensive material. A mixed fluid of a compressed gas and fine-particle powders of two soft metals having lower hardness and lower melting point than the base material of a sliding contact portion is ejected onto a surface of the sliding contact portion. The fine-particle powders of the soft metals are made to react with oxygen in the compressed gas at the surface of the sliding contact portion to form a metal-oxide film with high melting point composed of metal oxides of the two soft metals, one of the metal oxides having higher hardness than the other. This metal-oxide film with high melting point includes a coating having a thickness of 0.

Abstract: A PTFE-based composite material includes a PTFE major phase filled with a metal oxide minor phase. The major phase is intermixed with the metal oxide minor phase, wherein the minor phase includes a plurality of irregularly shaped metal oxide nanoparticles. The irregularly shaped nanoparticles provide substantial reductions in steady state wear rate over otherwise similar nanocomposites. The metal oxide can comprise aluminum oxide.

Abstract: A nanostructure, being either an Inorganic Fullerene-like (IF) nanostructure or an Inorganic Nanotube (INT), having the formula A1?x-Bx-chalcogenide are described. A being a metal or transition metal or an alloy of metals and/or transition metals, B being a metal or transition metal B different from that of A and x being ?0.3. A process for their manufacture and their use for modifying the electronic character of A-chalcogenide are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a component that is suitable for use as a sliding bearing. The invention further relates to a method for the production of said component. The design of the component according to the invention provides a layer of a light metal material (13), which is provided with an oxide layer (15) containing pores (16) in the direction of the sliding surface (23) of the component. A hard material (18) is placed in the pores, which greatly increases the firmness of said layer region, thus creating the mechanical firmness for use as a sliding bearing. In order to counteract the tendency of said firm layer region to experience brittle failure, the oxide layer (15) is coated with a solid lubricant layer (20). Said solid lubricant layer comprises a metallic, ductile matrix (21), which distributes a force (F) acting at certain points over a larger surface region (b).

Abstract: A lubricant composition capable of effectively preventing a rolling surface of a bearing from flaking owing to hydrogen embrittlement. The bearing is lubricated with the lubricant composition. The lubricant composition is lubricating oil or grease. The lubricant composition contains a molybdate. The lubricant composition also contains an organic acid salt. At least one molybdate is selected from sodium molybdate, potassium molybdate, and lithium molybdate. The organic acid salt is a sodium salt of an organic acid having one to 20 carbon atoms. 0.01 to 5 wt % of the molybdate is added to the entirety of the lubricant composition. 5 wt % to 70 wt % of the organic acid salt is added to the addition amount of the molybdate. The lubricant composition forms a film containing a molybdenum compound in addition to an iron oxide film on a worn surface of the bearing.

Abstract: The invention aims at providing a hard coating film excellent in lubrication characteristics; a process for the formation thereof; and tools for the plastic working of metal, and provides a hard coating film covering the surface of a substrate to come into contact with other member, wherein carbon atoms having carbon-carbon bonds are present in an amount of 10 at % or above. It is preferable that the hard coating film contain titanium carbide, while it is preferable to form a titanium nitride coating layer between the surface of the substrate and the hard coating film. The invention also provides a process for the formation of a hard coating film on the surface of a substrate by arc ion plating which comprises introducing a hydrocarbon gas during the arc ion plating with a metal target and which makes it possible to form on the surface of a substrate a coating film where carbon atoms having carbon-carbon bonds are present in an amount of 10 at % or above.

Abstract: [Task] In a sliding member comprising a substrate and a coating layer provided thereon, the coating layer has a sliding surface and is formed of a resin-based coating and particles of a solid lubricant dispersed therein. The orientation ratio of (001) plane of the solid lubricant is enhanced. [Means for Solution] The coating layer of a sliding layer has an average thickness of 3 ?m or less. The particles of the solid lubricant have 2 ?m or more of an average particle diameter as measured by the laser diffraction method. The solid lubricant dispersed has 90% or more of relative C-axis intensity ratio.

Abstract: [Task] The solid-lubricant layer applied on the surface of Al or Cu-based bearing alloy is improved so as to satisfactorily demonstrate the properties of the solid lubricant. [Means for Solution] The solid lubricant dispersed in the solid-lubricant solid-lubricant layer exhibits 85% or more of the relative C axis intensity ratio defined below. The relative C axis intensity ratio=the accumulative intensity of (002), (004) and (008) planes relative to the accumulative intensity of (002), (004), (100), (101), (102), (103), (105), (110) and (008) planes detected by X ray diffraction.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a sliding member, a prosthesis and a method of producing the sliding member, which can suppress production of abrasive wear debris by suppressing friction of the sliding section, and also can maintain satisfactory mechanical characteristics in vivo. A sliding member comprising: a substrate 1 capable of forming hydroxyl groups; and a biocompatible material layer 4 laminated on appropriate sections of the substrate 1, wherein hydroxyl groups are formed on at least a required section of a surface of the substrate 1 by surface treating to form a surface-treated layer 2, while the biocompatible material layer 4 is formed from a polymer containing phosphorylcholine groups, and wherein the substrate 1 and the biocompatible material layer 4 are joined via a binder layer 3 formed from silica being covalently bonded with the hydroxyl groups and the biocompatible material, respectively.

Abstract: The invention provides a grease composition containing (a) a base oil, (b) a lithium soap based thickener, (c) at least one stearic acid metallic salt selected from the group consisting of Ca stearate, Mg stearate and Zn stearate, (d) molybdenum dialkyl dithiocarbamate sulfide, and (e) zinc dialkyl dithiocarbamate sulfide. The present invention also provides a constant velocity joint such as a Barfield constant velocity joint (BJ), double offset constant velocity joint (DOJ), tripod constant velocity joint (TJ) or the like, containing the above-mentioned grease composition therein. The grease composition of the invention is excellent in antiwear properties and suitable for the constant velocity joint.

Abstract: Components, turbochargers, and methods of forming components are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, a method of forming a component is provided. The method includes applying a plurality of coated particles to a substrate, wherein each coated particle comprises a solid film lubricant particle and a layer surrounding an entire surface of the solid film lubricant particle, each solid film lubricant particle comprises at least one compound, and the layer comprises a coating material having a greater resistance to oxidation than the compound when subjected to a predetermined processing temperature and heating the substrate to the predetermined processing temperature to form a portion of a coating over the substrate.

Abstract: An object has bearing location where the object comes into contact with a counter-piece. The bearing location includes a coating to reduce wear and friction. The coating comprises about 90-100 weight percent thermoplastic polymer and about 0-10 weight percent finely divided solid fillers and finely divided dry lubricants. The coating has a thickness of between about 5-50 ?m.

Abstract: A self-lubricating coating is disclosed. The coating includes a base material. The coating also includes a nanoparticle of a first material and a shell substantially surrounding the nanoparticle and including a second material different than the first material.

Abstract: A bearing having a surface and a self-lubricating surface coating composition deposited on the surface, wherein the self-lubricating surface coating composition includes a curable acrylate composition having a metallic composition. The metallic composition having a metallic acrylate compound according to Formula I: The metallic composition further includes a metallic oxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for obtaining fullerene-like metal chalcogenide nanoparticles, comprising feeding a metal precursor selected from metal halide, metal carbonyl, organo-metallic compound and metal oxyhalide vapor into a reaction chamber towards a reaction zone to interact with a flow of at least one chalcogen material in gas phase, the temperature conditions in said reaction zone being such to enable the formation of the fullerene-like metal chalcogenide nanoparticles product. The present invention further provides novel IF metal chalcogenides nanoparticles with spherical shape and optionally having a very small or no hollow core exhibiting excellent tribological behaviour. The present invention further provides an apparatus for preparing various IF nanostructures.

Abstract: A solid lubricant and composition useful for lubricating the flanges of locomotive wheels, railcar wheels, rail tracks and in applications where it is desirable to reduce friction when metal contacts metal. The solid lubricant having from about 25% to about 70% by volume of a biopolymer polymeric carrier, about 5% to 75% percent by volume of organic and inorganic extreme pressure additives, about 0% to 20% by volume synthetic extreme pressure anti-wear liquid oil, and about 0% to 1% by volume optical brightener.

Abstract: The present invention provides a grease composition for automobile wheel bearings, which contains (a) an urea thickener represented by general formula (1); R1—NHCONH—R2—NHCONH—R3 (wherein R1 and R3 may be the same or different from each other and are each independently an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and R2 represents an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 15 carbon atoms); (b) an organic molybdenum compound; and (c) a base oil. The composition of the present invention can extend the flaking life and lubrication life, and reduce the fretting wear.

Abstract: The invention provides a grease composition that can improve the durability and the temperature control properties of constant velocity joints and reduce the rotating torque at low temperatures, and a constant velocity joint where the above-mentioned grease composition is packed. The grease composition for constant velocity joints includes (a) a base oil containing a synthetic oil, (b) a thickener, (c) zinc dithiophosphate, (d) molybdenum dialkyl dithiocarbamate sulfide, and (e) zinc dialkyl dithiocarbamate.

Abstract: A low-friction sliding mechanism includes first and second sliding members having respective sliding surfaces slidable relative to each other and a lubricant applied to the sliding surfaces of the first and second sliding members. At least the sliding surface of the first sliding member is made of a diamond-like carbon material, and at least the sliding surface of the second sliding member is made of either an aluminum-based alloy material, a magnesium-based alloy material or a diamond-like carbon material. The lubricant contains a base oil and at least one of an ashless fatty-ester friction modifier and an ashless aliphatic-amine friction modifier.

Abstract: Particles each of which consists of an inorganic polyvalent metal compound as a nucleus and a coating of a metallic soap of the polyvalent metal coating the nucleus (coated particles); products and preparation processes using the particles; a lubricating coating forming agent wherein particles each of which consists of a polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid as a nucleus and a coating of a metallic soap of the polyvalent metal coating the surface of the nucleus are suspended in an aqueous solution of a water soluble inorganic salt and/or a water soluble organic acid salt; and a lubricating coating. The coated particles are novel particles which can be used as an ingredient of coating-type lubricating coating; are excellent in seizure resistance; can inhibit wear of tools at the time of plastic working since the friction coefficient of the surface of the particles is low; and are slow to cause pollution of working oils.

Abstract: A component having a layer system situated on the component is described, for increasing the resistance to wear of the component. The layer system in this context includes a phosphate layer and particles of solid lubricants, the layer system being free of any binding agent. A method for producing such a component is also described.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a composition for a sliding member capable of forming a lubricating film which does not occur large cracks in the lubricating film formed even if the formed lubricating film is pressed and slid, large peeling off of the lubricating film is restrained from occurring, and improved in abrasion resistance. The invention provides the composition for the sliding member containing a base resin and nano metal particles softer than the counterpart material of sliding, wherein the content of the soft nano metal particles is 5 vol % or less.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a lubricating arrangement of a chain assemblage serving to coat chain components. Particularly, the lubricating arrangement includes a first non-electrolytic nickel layer and a second PTFE alloy layer that possess 3 to 35 vol % PTFE, whereby the present invention conduces to attain an automatically lubricating capability, increase the surface hardness of the chain assemblage, and prolong the utilization thereof without affecting the tensile strength.

Abstract: A PTFE-based composite material includes a PTFE major phase filled with a metal oxide minor phase. The major phase is intermixed with the metal oxide minor phase, wherein the minor phase includes a plurality of irregularly shaped metal oxide nanoparticles. The irregularly shaped nanoparticles provide substantial reductions in steady state wear rate over otherwise similar nanocomposites. The metal oxide can comprise aluminum oxide.

Abstract: The invention aims at providing a hard coating film excellent in lubrication characteristics; a process for the formation thereof; and tools for the plastic working of metal, and provides a hard coating film covering the surface of a substrate to come into contact with other member, wherein carbon atoms having carbon-carbon bonds are present in an amount of 10 at % or above. It is preferable that the hard coating film contain titanium carbide, while it is preferable to form a titanium nitride coating layer between the surface of the substrate and the hard coating film. The invention also provides a process for the formation of a hard coating film on the surface of a substrate by arc ion plating which comprises introducing a hydrocarbon gas during the arc ion plating with a metal target and which makes it possible to form on the surface of a substrate a coating film where carbon atoms having carbon-carbon bonds are present in an amount of 10 at % or above.

Abstract: The invention relates to thermally conductive greases that may contain carrier oil(s), dispersant(s), and thermally conductive particles, wherein the thermally conductive particles are a mixture of at least three distributions of thermally conductive particles, each of the at least three distributions of thermally conductive particles having an average (D50) particle size which differs from the other average particle sizes by at least a factor of five. The thermally conductive greases of the invention exhibit desirable rheological behavior during installation/application and during use of devices involving these materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lead-free sliding bearing material having a Cu-based or CuSn-based sintered matrix and a solid lubricant. The solid lubricant contains hexagonal boron nitride in a fine-grained distribution with a mean particle size of 10 ?m or less, wherein agglomerates of the particles of hexagonal boron nitride are not greater than 200 ?m. The invention also relates to a sintering powder for producing the sliding bearing material, a sliding bearing composite material having a steel protective layer and a bearing layer composed of such a sintered-on sliding bearing material. The invention also relates to a sliding element composed of a sliding bearing composite material of the type mentioned above.

Abstract: The production of solid lubricant agglomerates by combining solid lubricant powder, an inorganic binder, other fillers if optionally desired, and a liquid to form a mixture, and driving off the liquid to form dry agglomerates which are subsequently classified by size or milled and classified by size to yield agglomerates of a desired size range. These agglomerates are then treated to stabilize the binder, thereby strengthening the binder and rendering it nondispersible in the liquid. The treated agglomerates are then blended or clad with a metal, metal alloy or a metallic composition, to produce a composition suitable for thermal spray applications.

Abstract: A lubricating oil composition having a sulfur content of up to about 0.4 wt. % and a sulfated ash content of up to about 0.5 wt. % as determined by ASTM D874 is disclosed which comprises (a) a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity; (b) at least one oil-soluble or dispersed oil-stable boron-containing compound having greater than 400 ppm of boron, based upon the total mass of the composition; and (c) at least one oil-soluble or dispersed oil-stable molybdenum-containing compound having at least about 1100 ppm of molybdenum, based upon the total mass of the composition; wherein the lubricating oil composition has a ratio of sulfur to molybdenum of less than or equal to about 4:1.

Abstract: A lubricating oil composition having a sulfur content of up to about 0.4 wt. % and a sulfated ash content of up to about 0.5 wt. % as determined by ASTM D874 is disclosed which comprises (a) a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity; (b) at least one oil-soluble or dispersed oil-stable boron-containing compound having no more than about 400 ppm of boron; and (c) at least one oil-soluble or dispersed oil-stable molybdenum-containing compound having at least about 1100 ppm of molybdenum, based upon the total mass of the composition; wherein the lubricating oil composition has a ratio of sulfur to molybdenum of less than or equal to about 4:1.

Abstract: A lubricating oil composition having a sulfur content of up to about 0.4 wt. % and a sulfated ash content of up to about 0.5 wt. % as determined by ASTM D874 is disclosed which comprises (a) a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity; (b) at least one oil-soluble or dispersed oil-stable boron-containing compound having no more than about 600 ppm of boron, based upon the total mass of the composition; and (c) at least one oil-soluble or dispersed oil-stable molybdenum-containing compound having no more than about 800 ppm of molybdenum, based upon the total mass of the composition; wherein the lubricating oil composition has a ratio of sulfur to molybdenum of about 5:1 to about 500:1.

Abstract: [Task] The solid-lubricant layer applied on the surface of Al or Cu-based bearing alloy is improved so as to satisfactorily demonstrate the properties of the solid lubricant. [Means for Solution] The solid lubricant dispersed in the solid-lubricant solid-lubricant layer exhibits 85% or more of the relative C axis intensity ratio defined below. The relative C axis intensity ratio=the accumulative intensity of (002), (004) and (008) planes relative to the accumulative intensity of (002), (004), (100), (101), (102), (103), (105), (110) and (008) planes detected by X ray diffraction.

Abstract: Lubricated surfaces and lubricant compositions for lubricating a surface. The lubricated surface is provided by a lubricant composition including a base oil of lubricating viscosity, at least one metal salt of phosphorothioic acid, and an ashless, sulfur-free organophosphorus compound providing a metal to phosphorus weight ratio ranging from about 0.25:1 to about 1.0:1 by weight. The lubricant composition is substantially devoid of molybdenum.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid stick composition comprising a thermosetting resin and a grease. Optionally, the solid stick composition may comprise a lubricant, a friction modifier, a thermoplastic plasticizer or a combination thereof. The solid stick compositions may be used for application between two metal surfaces in sliding and rolling-sliding contact such as steel wheel-rail systems including mass transit and freight systems. A method of reducing energy consumption, or controlling friction between a metal surface and a second metal surface by applying the solid stick composition to one or more than one of the metal surfaces, is also provided.

Abstract: A lubricant molded body, which is to be applied to a surface of a photosensitive layer for electrophotography in an image forming apparatus, for example, is composed of at least two kinds of higher fatty acid metallic salts having respectively different carbon numbers. As the higher fatty acid metallic salt that forms lubricant molded body, compounds such as zinc stearate, calcium stearate, barium stearate, aluminum stearate, zinc laurate, calcium laurate, etc. may be recited. The higher fatty acid metallic salts may contain at least one kind of fillers selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, tungsten disulfide, molybdenum disulfide, graphite fluoride, graphite, boron nitride, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).

Abstract: A lubricating oil composition is disclosed which comprises (a) a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity; and (b) an oil-soluble titanium compound of Formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently a C1-C20 alkoxy group, and further wherein the lubricating oil composition is free of any zinc dialkyldithiophosphate.

Abstract: A self-lubricating coating is disclosed. The coating includes a base material. The coating also includes a nanoparticle of a first material and a shell substantially surrounding the nanoparticle and including a second material different than the first material.

Abstract: Components, turbochargers, and methods of forming components are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, a method of forming a component is provided. The method includes applying a plurality of coated particles to a substrate, wherein each coated particle comprises a solid film lubricant particle and a layer surrounding an entire surface of the solid film lubricant particle, each solid film lubricant particle comprises at least one compound, and the layer comprises a coating material having a greater resistance to oxidation than the compound when subjected to a predetermined processing temperature and heating the substrate to the predetermined processing temperature to form a portion of a coating over the substrate.

Abstract: A highly reliable sliding face modification material capable of forming a stable film of molybdenum disulfide on the sliding face of a sliding member, the sliding face modification material having a molybdenum disulfide content of 95 wt % or more and an organic material content of 1500 ppm or less in weight ratio, and the sliding face modification material being projected onto the sliding face to form a coating layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for obtaining fullerene-like metal chalcogenide nanoparticles, comprising feeding a metal precursor (INi) selected from metal halide, metal carbonyl, organo-metallic compound and metal oxyhalide vapor into a reaction chamber (12) towards a reaction zone to interact with a flow of at least one chalcogen material (IN2) in gas phase, the temperature conditions in said reaction zone being such to enable the formation of the fullerene-like metal chalcogenide nanoparticles product. The present invention further provides novel IF metal chalcogenides nanoparticles with spherical shape and optionally having a very small or no hollow core and also exhibiting excellent tribological behavior. The present invention further provides an apparatus for preparing various IF nanostructures.