Friction and wear behaviours of MoS2/Zr coatings against hardened steel

MoS2 and MoS2/Zr coatings were deposited on the surface of YT15 carbide by medium frequency magnetron sputtering together with multiarc ion plating. Microstructural and fundamental properties of these coatings were examined. Sliding wear tests against hardened steel using the ring block method were carried out with these coated materials. The friction coefficient and wear rates were measured. The wear surface features of the coatings were examined by SEM. Results showed that the MS-1 specimen (with MoS2/Zr composite coating) has the higher hardness and adhesion load for the coating to the substrate compared with that of the MS-2 specimen (only with MoS2 coating). The friction coefficient of MS-1 specimen was depended on the applied load, and was quite insensitive to the sliding speed. The MS-1 specimen exhibits improved friction behaviour to that of the MS-2 specimens, and the antiwear lifetime of the MoS2 coatings can be prolonged through adding Zr additives.