Sandia metal, very low wear rate
 

Larry Jacques mentioned this
https://share-ng.sandia.gov/news/resources/news_releases/resistant_alloy/

and it's really interesting. The article mentions skids for
cars, but how about piston rings? The possibilities are HUGE, because
you can stop thinking about wear, and go straight to the best material choices
on other grounds. Titanium cylinder sleeves with your new rings?

Maybe we should reexamine journal bearings, with a material that
vastly outlasts bronze or babbitt.

Also of interest, the alloy was designed with computer simulation techniques,
that can apply next year to other qualities, like thermal expansion or joining
compatibilty; how about a brazing rod that sticks to aluminum and to steel?
Or, a glass/ceramic seal alloy that outperforms Kovar?