Tribological properties of Mo-S-C coating deposited by pulsed d.c. magnetron sputtering

• Published in: Wear Vol. 480-481; p. 203939
• Main Authors: Vitu, T., Huminiuc, T., Doll, G., Bousser, E., Matthews, A., Polcar, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.09.2021; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Coatings; Diamond films; Diamond-like carbon; Diamond-like carbon films; Lubricants & lubrication; Magnetic properties; Magnetron sputtering; Mechanical properties; Mo-S-C; Molybdenum disulfide; Raman spectroscopy; Solid lubricants; Spectrum analysis; TMD; Transition metal compounds; Tribology; Wear; Mo-S-C; TMD; Raman spectroscopy; Tribology
• ISSN: 0043-1648; 1873-2577
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wear.2021.203939

Transition metal dichalcogenides such as MoS2 are widely used as solid lubricants for vacuum applications. On the other hand, diamond-like carbon coatings exhibit excellent sliding properties in the ambient environment. Our Mo-S-C coatings deposited by pulsed d.c. sputtering combine both structures to obtain stable properties regardless of the testing conditions. The coatings were studied using HR-TEM and Raman spectroscopy, revealing amorphous nature of the coating. The tribological properties were evaluated by pin-on-disc method. The results showed high lubrication ability in all the testing conditions. HR-TEM and Raman spectroscopy were employed to show the structural characteristics of the wear traces. Our results indicate that the low-friction effect should be attributed to carbon structure re-arrangement since expected wear-induced MoS2 formation was not observed. •Mo-S-C coatings were deposited by pulsed d.c. sputtering from C and MoS2 targets.•The Mo-S-C coatings were studied using HR-TEM and Raman spectroscopy.•The tribological properties were evaluated from the room temperature up to 200 °C.•Friction coefficients lower than 0.03 for all the testing conditions were observed.•Low-friction effect was predominantly attributed to carbon bonds re-arrangement.