Mr. Andras Korenyi-Both, Senior Technical Fellow at Woodward Inc. will give a seminar titled "Bridging Research and Industrial Application: Advanced Coatings and Surface Treatments for Tribological Challenges" to the interested faculty and students at Discovery Park.

Abstract

Surface engineering and advanced coatings are critical for addressing complex tribological challenges across diverse industrial applications, from aerospace to manufacturing. This talk provides an overview of key advancements in coating technologies, spanning decades of research and development, with a focus on linking fundamental insights to real-world applications. Highlights include the investigation of faults and failures in sprayed MoS₂ coatings on the Galileo spacecraft, which informed the development of improved PVD MoS₂ coatings through doping and layering for enhanced performance transitioning to rocket engine turbo pump gears. The transition from PVD coatings to tribomechanical deposition applications is explored, leveraging techniques such as laser surface texturing and WAM testing to bridge laboratory results with production scale implementation. Emerging technologies, such as autocatalytic in situ diamond-like carbon formation from hydrocarbons, are also discussed, showcasing their potential to enable self-lubricating surfaces in extreme industrial environments. The application of duplex and triplex treatments is highlighted as a powerful approach to solving complex tribological problems, combining multiple surface engineering techniques to optimize performance across diverse conditions. Additional contributions include the development of high-performance coatings for forging and die-casting applications, high-temperature plasma electrolytic oxidation combined with solid film lubricants and the use of nanoparticles in liquids to enhance lubrication. Case studies like the MISSE-to-production pipeline highlight the challenges of translating terrestrial -proven coatings to flight applications, addressing the "flight history conundrum." This work demonstrates the importance of combining advanced surface engineering strategies—ranging from thin-film deposition to hybrid treatment approaches—to tackle emerging challenges in multi-fuel and dry gas environments. Collectively, these efforts underscore the value of a multidisciplinary approach to the development, characterization, and deployment of coatings and surface treatments for solutions in transportation, manufacturing, and beyond. Closing remarks include the role of solid film lubricants towards environmental stewardship.

Bio

Mr. Andras (Andy) Korenyi-Both is a Senior Technical Fellow for Woodward since 2020, working within the Corporate Materials and Surface Engineering group in Windsor, CO. He specializes in friction and wear mitigation in extreme environments and established Woodward’s first corporate tribology and surface science lab to enhance decision-making across the manufacturing process.  Andy’s expertise spans tribology, surface engineering and surface science, employing techniques such as PVD-CVD, XPS, and AES. Prior to Woodward, he was the Founder and Principal Scientist of Tribologix Inc. (2007–2020), which developed advanced solid film lubricants and surface solutions for aerospace and space applications.  Notable missions and platforms include Space Shuttle Main Engines, Deployable Mesh Space Antennas, F16, F22 & F35-STOVL, & James Webb Space Telescope.

His earlier roles include Visiting Scientist at the U.S. Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), Tribology and Coatings Branch (2003–2007), where he worked on self-healing smart coatings and nanocomposites. Managing Director, North America for PVT GmbH, a leader in PVD coating systems.  VP of Vacuum and Plasma Coatings at Hohman Plating Inc., focusing on thermal spray and PVD wear coatings for jet engines and space systems.

He began his career at NASA Glenn Research Center in the Tribology Branch, specializing in vacuum coatings and in-situ surface analysis.

He pursued a Physics degree for undergraduate studies and pursued postgraduate studies in Materials Science and Engineering. Andy is also an Affiliate Research Faculty member at the Colorado School of Mines and a long-standing member of STLE and AVS. He has (co-)authored over 30 publications, a book, and 2 patents, and is bilingual in Hungarian, married with 3 grown children and enjoys road cycling, skiing and motorsports.