Self-lubricating Hybrid Metal Matrix Composite toward Sustainability

In the 21st century, the environmental pollution due to CO₂ emissions from transport vehicles is a major concern for humankind. Approximately 75% of these emissions is due to passenger vehicles, which play a pivotal role in everyday transport and it is quite evident. Various factors are associated with CO₂ emissions, but the major concern lies with friction and its frictional loss. The discovery of new-age materials, self-lubricating hybrid composites, is a sustainable solution to advocate the reduction of fuel consumption, and thus CO₂ emission levels by reducing friction. These types of composites not only obsolete the external lubrication system but also reduce weight for low-cost vehicles and provide a sustainable lubrication system. The main mechanism of these types of composites is self-lubrication. The tribological characteristics of self-lubricating hybrid metal matrix composite with respect to wear parameters are summarized in this chapter. This chapter also elaborates the phenomenon of self-lubrication and its activewear mechanism for different applications. Introduction of self-lubricating composites by green tribology is an advanced technique, which aims to eliminate the usage of external harmful petroleum-based lubricants in sliding contacts and become an energy-efficient sustainable solution for automotive applications.