BEARINGS AND BELTS n 150Nmm, while those containing 6-8nmthick graphene platelets reduced the frictional torque by around 80%. The study concluded that the thickness of the graphene layers aected the coecient of friction, but all thicknesses tested reduced friction signicantly. Adding a graphene coating to bearings is relatively simple compared to adding a traditional lubricant. Graphene does not need any extra processing steps, other than sprinkling a small amount of solution or spraying it onto the surface. The process is simple, environmentally friendly and costeective. While grease with a graphene additive reduces friction, a dry lubricant can reduce frictional torque even more. Research shows that a few layers of graphene not only reduces friction in steel seven-fold, but also reduces wear-and-tear 10,000 times more, limiting tribo-corrosion. A one-size-ts-all approach never works for bearing lubrication, so although adding a coating of graphene may be more eective at reducing friction than graphene grease, it is not the only design consideration. Innovations in graphene and other newlydiscovered materials have real potential both as dry lubricants and as grease additives. Once fully developed, graphene could lead to substantial energy savings in many mechanical applications. n Tests have shown that adding graphene to bearing grease can reduce frictional torque by around 80% in some applications
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