Investigation on Microstructure Characteristics and Tribological Properties of Self-Lubricating Metallic Composites Based on Hexagonal Boron Nitride and Molybdenum Disulphide

Abstract

Abstract In this work, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN)- and molybdenum disulphide (MoS2)-embedded metallic composites were fabricated via liquid-phase sintering. The mechanical property and tribological performance of different samples that contain 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 15 wt% solid lubricants were evaluated. Morphologies, such as micropores and ball and scratch, were characterized after the rotating sliding tests. A high lubricant concentration could adversely affect the flexural strength of as-sintered samples because of the formation and coalescences of micropores. In comparison with MoS2-containing samples under the same lubricant concentrations, the hBN-containing samples exhibited lower flexural strength and density caused by amounts of spherical small and irregular large micropores. Furthermore, the best tribological combination could be achieved in terms of the friction coefficient, wear-rate, and morphologies of balls by applying 7.5 wt% MoS2 particles in the metallic matrix.