Enhancement of tribological properties of pure copper through cold sprayed MoS2 coating

Pure copper chosen as substrate was coated with Molybdenum Disulphide (MoS2) through cold spray coating method. A coating thickness of 123 +/- 10 mu m was obtained while a hardness improvement of 34.5% was obtained on comparing coated over uncoated substrate. Dry sliding wear analysis performed on coated pin specimens by varying process parameters such as applied load (10, 20, 30 N), sliding distance (750, 1250, 1750 m) and sliding velocity (0.75, 1.5 2.25 m s(-1)) revealed an increasing wear rate trend as applied load increases whereas an initial increase followed by a drastic decrease trend was observed for sliding velocity. Wear decreased initially followed by a slow rise, as sliding distance increases. ANOVA analysis confirmed highest influence for applied load, followed by sliding velocity and sliding distance. Confirmation experiments validated the regression model generated through RSM, which confirmed adequacy of model. For applied load, a wear mechanism transition from mild to severe wear was observed whereas, for sliding distance, the presence of an oxide layer was observed, which makes it suitable for automotive bearings and cylinder liners.