MoS2-Based Moisture-Resistant Self-Lubricating Coatings.

A cathodic spraying method has been developed for the application of molybdenum sulfide upon metallic substrates to form self-lubricating coatings. This work has shown that the moisture resistance of such coatings is improved when MoS//2 is sprayed simultaneously with hydrophobic additives, e. g. , hydrocarbon and fluorohydrocarbon polymers. In order to prevent corrosion of the substrate and to improve adhesion of the composite film, an intermediate layer is applied which consists of a sulfide-forming metal treated in a H//2S-containing plasma. A study of the tribological behavior of the self-lubricating coatings showed a net improvement of their antifriction properties.