Fullerenes take the form of hollow, geodesic domes, which are formed f
rom a network of pentagons and hexagons. The C60 molecule has the high
est possible symmetry (icosahedral) and assumes the shape of a soccer
ball. At room temperature, fullerene molecules pack in a face-centered
-cubic lattice bonded with weak van der Waals attractions. Fullerenes
can be dissolved in solvents such as toluene and benzene and easily su
blimed. The resilience, high load bearing capacity, low surface energy
, high chemical stability, and spherical shape of C60 molecules and we
ak intermolecular bonding offer great potential for various mechanical
and tribological applications. Sublimed films of C60 have been produc
ed and friction and wear performance of these films in various operati
ng environments are the subject of this letter.