Tribological properties of MoS2 thin films deposited by RF magnetron sputtering technique

Abstract

This study aims to reduce the friction and wear losses of AISI440C steel, which is preferred in some machine elements like bearing balls, valves, oil pumps, cutters, springs, cams and scissors. The AISI440C substrates were coated with thin film MoS2 which provides low friction and wear. During the coating, steel disc groups were obtained by changing the parameters of deposition including the radio frequency sputtering power and the deposition temperature. The thickness value of the lubricating MoS2 films were determined with a scanning electron microscope. The hardness and elasticity modules of the MoS2 coatings were determined. The data showing friction coefficient-distance relation of wear tests was obtained and the average friction coefficients, wear amounts and wear trace widths were reached. In this way, how changes in substrate deposition temperature and RF sputtering power affect tribological properties were interpreted. As a result, tribological optimisation of the most suitable coating pair parameter was provided.