INVESTIGATION ON WEAR BEHAVIOR OF ELECTROSTATIC MICRO-SOLID LUBRICANT COATINGS UNDER DRY SLIDING CONDITIONS

Dry sliding experiences high friction and wear thus influencing the life and quality of the parts under sliding. To provide low friction and improve wear resistance, solid lubricants have an edge over conventional choice. This article features a specific study of the application of solid lubricant in dry sliding operations and presents its influence on wear resistance. Using a pin-on-disc tribometer designed according to ASTM G99 standard, dry sliding wear tests on aluminum alloy AA6351-T6 specimens were performed against uncoated EN31 steel and molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) coated EN31 steel discs. In this study, counter surfaces (discs) were coated. with micron sized MoS2 solid lubricant powder particles using electrostatic spray coating (ESC) method. The best results for wear volume and friction coefficient (minimum values) were registered when aluminum specimen slid against MoS2 coated EN31 steel. Outcome of this study shows that the presence of solid lubricant film on disc specimen will greatly influence the sliding performance of pin material in lubricating and preventing wear through reduction in the frictional force due to presence of lamellar structure as a transfer film and favorable change in sliding interaction.