Abstract. The low-friction properties of quasicrystal surfaces suggest their use as coatings on moving machine parts, including those in internal combustion engines. In such applications, additional lubricants are typically used. Since the low-friction properties of quasicrystals are thought to depend on their aperiodic structures, the interactions of lubricants on quasicrystalline surfaces may have an impact on their frictional properties. In this paper, we address the fundamental issues that affect the growth and structural properties of gases on a quasicrystal surface. Studies of the adsorption and growth of rare gases on quasicrystal surfaces are reviewed, and new results are presented for the modeling and simulation of hydrocarbons on quasicrystal surfaces. The calculated interaction parameters are presented for methane adsorption on ten-fold Al–Ni–Co. Methane is found to form aperiodically ordered structures, consistent with the rules established earlier for rare gases on Al–Ni–Co.

Print publication: Issue 31 (6 August 2008)
Received 7 April 2008
Published 11 July 2008