Hybrid pfas-free lubricious razor topcoat using pulsed laser deposition
Develop a PFAS-free razor blade topcoat using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) for ultra-thin, low-friction coatings with excellent adhesion. Features a metallic interlayer and a nanocomposite topcoat, achieving PTFE-like lubricity and durability for high-aspect-ratio blades.
Overview
This technology offers a PFAS-free solution for lubricious razor topcoats, utilizing pulsed laser deposition (PLD) to create ultra-thin, durable coatings. The innovation consists of a hybrid multilayer structure that combines a thin metallic interlayer and a nanocomposite topcoat. This approach achieves PTFE-comparable lubricity while ensuring strong adhesion to existing blade coatings. The PLD method allows for precise control over stoichiometry and interfacial quality, making it suitable for scalable production of high-aspect-ratio razor blades.
Technical specifications
- Metallic interlayer: Composed of Chromium (Cr) or Titanium (Ti) with thickness between 10-50 nm, enhancing adhesion to hard undercoats such as Cr, CrN, or DLC.
- Nanocomposite topcoat: Ranges from 50-400 nm, featuring an oxide matrix with embedded carbon or graphitic phases for low friction.
- Deposition parameters: Utilizes PLD at temperatures below 400 °C, ensuring blade integrity and enabling coverage of up to 4-inch wafers.
- Hybrid architecture: Supports polymeric topcoats bonded to PLD interlayers.
- Uniformity and scalability: Achieved through beam scanning technology, suitable for large-scale blade production.
Technology readiness level
Currently at TRL 3, this technology has undergone initial proof of concept validation. Future phases include blade-level validation and durability optimization, with plans for scale-up parameters for industrial adaptation. The project is open to sponsored research partnerships for further development.
About The University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a flagship public research university spanning Norman, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa, combining comprehensive academics with a major health sciences center. Industry collaborates through a research and technology campus in Norman that co‑locates university facilities with federal partners, and through the OU Health Sciences Center, which connects clinicians, core labs, and clinical trials within the OU Health system. Dedicated corporate engagement and contracting teams streamline sponsored research, while a centralized technology commercialization office supports IP, licensing, and startup formation. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NIH, NSF, DOE, and DoD.
delivered to your inbox.