Microstructure and tribological properties of nano and submicron-structured MoS₂ coating deposited by plasma spraying

Nano- and submicron-structured MoS₂ coating was deposited by atmospheric plasma spraying. The friction and wear properties of the coating were investigated with an MHK-500 friction and wear tester under oil lubrication. The microstructure, phase composition and worn surface morphologies of the coating were analyzed with SEM and XRD. It was found that the coating is mainly composed of MoS₂, and a small quantity of Mo, Mo₂S₃ and MoO₃ are also found. The grain size of the coating is 100~400nm. The tribological properties of the plasma-sprayed nano- and submicron MoS₂ coating are more superior to the GCr15 steel. The friction coefficient of the nano- and submicron-structured MoS₂ coating is half of that of GCr15 steel. The worn volume of the coating was also reduce to nearly half of that of GCr15 steel under high load.