A new engine component coating has won Nissan Motor an award from a Japanese government agency.

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The automaker said its hydrogen-free diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating on valve lifters improves fuel efficiency. It won the excellence award in the products and technology development category of the second Monozukuri Nippon Grand Awards from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).


The DLC coating is a low-friction, highly abrasion-resistant non-crystalline carbon film with diamond-like properties, that does not contain hydrogen in its molecule structure which the automaker said significantly reduces friction drag under an oil lubricated condition.


Nissan and its technology development partners, Riken, Hitachi and Nippon ITF, received the award this week for creating a revolutionary product – component or production technology that contributes to sustain the Japanese industry and society.


Nissan began applying the coating to its VQ35HR and VQ25HR valve lifters on the new Skyline and Infiniti G35, reducing friction between the cam and valve lifter by about 40%.

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