TriboMeca® Explore the mechanisms of incommensurable superlubricity

Incommensurable superlubricity is the most fundamental form. It is based on the incommensurability between two crystalline surfaces : their atomic lattices do not align periodically.

1. Basic principle: the cancellation of forces

When two surfaces slide over each other:

1: Commensurable case (aligned lattices): The atoms of the upper surface systematically fall into the minima of the potential of the lower surface → lateral forces add up → high friction (classic stick-slip).

2: Incommensurable case (mismatched lattices): Each atom of the upper surface "sees" a different position relative to the potential of the other surface. The attractive and repulsive forces compensate for each other in all directions → net friction force ≈ 0.

It is a collective geometric effect: forces no longer add up, they cancel out.

Superlubricity today represents one of the most realistic ways to revolutionize engines, transmissions, and mechanical systems by drastically reducing friction losses.

Conclusion: TriboMeca® is two crystalline lattices sliding over each other without interlocking.