Energy conservation through surface engineering

Innovations in surface engineering are leading to significant energy savings in a variety of application sectors. These are being realised in two principal ways: (i) by increasing the application envelope of lightweight materials, and; (ii) reducing surface friction through the application of lubricous coatings. The application of metallic coatings to carbon fibre reinforced polymer matrix composites (CFRP) has the capacity to provide considerable weight and power savings for many engineering components. Also, titanium and aluminium alloys can be more widely applied in the automotive and aerospace industries by the use of appropriate coating techniques. Microarc oxidation is one of the methods reviewed. Recently a number of innovative thin (<10 mu m) composite coatings, applied by physical vapour deposition or chemical vapour deposition, have emerged. These significantly reduce friction during sliding contact. While providing excellent release characteristics for dry contacts they also show potential to limit the global demand for oil based lubricants. Accordingly, surface engineering is perceived as a major driver for realising the goal of optimal energy conservation.