Tribological behaviour of MoS2-based self-lubricating laser cladding for use in high temperature applications

Many high temperature (HT) forming processes require the use of solid lubricants in order to control friction and reduce wear. In an attempt to eliminate the need for solid lubrication in high temperature sliding applications, nickel-based self-lubricating coatings with the addition of Ag and MoS2 were prepared by means of laser cladding on stainless steel substrates. The behaviour of the resulting laser claddings was thoroughly evaluated up to 600 degrees C, including the oxidation behaviour and reciprocating tribotesting using different counter body geometries (ball and flat pin). The self-lubricating coatings showed lower friction than the unmodified reference alloy at all tested temperatures, in addition to a significant microstructural stability after prolonged exposure at high temperatures. The addition of solid lubricants to the claddings was also found to be beneficial in terms of the counter body wear at HT, as no material loss could be measured for the bearing balls after testing at 600 degrees C against the self-lubricating claddings, despite the significant softening experienced by AISI 52100 bearing steel at HT.