Surface modification of tool steel by MOS2 powder shooting

This paper describes surface modification of tool steel by MoS2 powder shooting technology and the lubricating ability of such MoS2 shot tool steel for metal-forming applications. This method introduces a MoS2 shot layer of approximately 1.5 mum into the surface of the tool steel by shooting MoS2 powder with pressurized air. Friction measurements indicated that the friction properties of such MoS2 shot tool could be remarkably improved. Ring compression tests were performed to measure the lubricating ability of the MoS2 shot tool during large deformation processes, which indicated a lower coefficient of friction compared to the case of no lubrication. Consequently, the surface roughness of compressed ring and the seizure between tool and ring could be improved. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.