Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2) Coating on AISI 316 Stainless Steel by Thermo-Diffusion Method

Abstract

AbstractMolybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is one of the most widely used solid lubricants applied in different ways on the surfaces under friction. In this work, AISI 316 austenitic stainless steel was coated with MoS2, using thermo-diffusion method at different temperatures and times. Coatings properties were investigated using SEM, EDX, XRD and FTIR, Hardness Tester and Roughness tester. The results illustrated the formation of a uniform layer on the surface, containing MoS2and MoO3-Xphases. The thickness, grain size and the hardness of the coatings were 20-50 μm, 400-1000 nm and 350- 550 HV respectively. Friction tests carried out using ball-on-disc method under normal loads of 10 N under ambient conditions showed values of the friction coefficient 0.30-0.40. In addition, the kinetics of diffusion layers between the substrate and the coating were also investigated. It was found that there at steady temperature there is a parabolic relationship between the thickness of the diffusion layer and the treatment time. The activation energy for the process was estimated to be 143 kJ mol−1. Depending on the treatment time and temperature, the thicknesses of diffusion layer varied between 0.5 and 2.5 microns.