Quality Control Metrics to Assess MoS2 Sputtered Films for Tribological Applications

• DOI: 10.1007/s11249-022-01642-y
• Publication Date: 2022-08-30T13:05:36Z
• Authors: Tomas F. Babuska; John F. Curry; Michael T. Dugger; Morgan R. Jones; Frank W. DelRio; Ping Lu; Yan Xin; Tomas Grejtak; Robert Chrostowski; Filippo Mangolini; Nicholas C. Stran...; Md Istiaque Chowd...; Gary L. Doll; Brandon A. Krick
• Keywords: Molybdenum disulfide; Deposition; Inert

Abstract Pure molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) solid lubricant coatings could attain densities comparable to doped films (and the associated benefits wear rate and environmental stability) through manipulation of microstructure via deposition parameters. Unfortunately, pure can exhibit highly variable microstructures mechanical properties due processes that are not controlled during (i.e., batch-to-batch variation). This work focuses on developing a relationship between density, hardness, friction, for sputtered MoS coatings. Results show dense ( ρ = 4.5 g/cm 3 100 × lower compared porous 3.04–3.55 ). The tribological performance high density is shown surpass established composite coatings, achieving k 5.74 10 –8 mm /Nm) than /Sb O /Au in inert environments.