Synthesis of Molybdenum Disulfide Solid Lubricant Coating on Steel Using Chemical Vapor Deposition Method

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is one of the most widely used solid lubricants applied in different ways on the surfaces under friction. In this work, AISI 316 austenitic stainless steel was coated with MoS2, using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at four different temperatures (400, 500, 600 and 700°C). Coatings properties were investigated using SEM, EDX, XRD and FTIR, Hardness Tester and Roughness tester. The results showed that with simultaneous evaporation of sulfur and molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) in the CVD chamber, a uniform coating layer containing MoS2 and MoO2 phases is formed. Increase in the substrate temperature resulted in the rise in the proportion of MoS2 to MoO2 phases as well as the thickness of coating. The thickness, grain size and the hardness of the coating were 17-29 µm, 50-120 nm and 260- 480 HV respectively.