Effect of thermal oxidation on structural and tribological properties of MoS2 films

The aim of this study is to investigate the structural, mechanical and tribological behaviours of thermally oxidized MoS2 films. MoS2 coatings were deposited on D2 tool steel substrates using the closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering method (CFUBMS). The thermal oxidation process was carried out at four different temperatures. Tribological properties were determined by pin-on-disc wear tests in the atmospheric environment. It was determined that thermal oxidation temperatures affected the chemical composition of MoS2 films, but did not cause any change in film thickness. The wear rates of the samples differed depending on the oxidation temperature and the applied load. The lowest wear rate was determined as 1.97 x 10(-8) mm(3)/Nm in the oxidized film at 350 degrees C. In addition, the highest hardness value was obtained as 655 HV in the film oxidized at 400 degrees C, and the lowest coefficient of friction was obtained as 0.01 in the film oxidized at 350 degrees C.