Bekaert with technical support from Xceldyne Technologies develops the exhaust valve coating CavidurHT, a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating that provides race teams with a high level of friction- and wear-resistant coating for exhaust valves. The companies’ combined solution will address wear issues resulting from the use of unleaded fuel in NASCAR. Excessive valve face and seat wear has been discovered by NASCAR after the mandated switch to unleaded fuel. The reduced amount of sulfur in unleaded fuel creates a dry-fuel condition that is similar to ethanol and methanol fuel systems. NASCAR teams requested Bekaert to research a suitable alternative to the CrN (chromium nitride) coatings that are currently applied to exhaust valves. Bekaert’s Cavidur DLC coatings provide permanent lubrication and keep friction low, addressing wear and erosion issues and, therefore, preventing excessive wear and deformation of these components.