Elimination of lubricants in industries in using self-lubricating wear resistant coatings based on MoS2

Abstract

The problem that has been haunting for long manufacturing industries (automotive, aerospace, domestic appliance and electronics) is the lubrication. Most processes are impossible without lubrication, otherwise wear and galling will occur. On the other hand, many lubricants are toxic and some lubricants are even flammable, and therefore the use of lubricants is a big environment, safety and health concern.
This paper demonstrates how innovative self-lubricated coating such as MoS2/Titanium composite coatings can be used to solve these problems and are suitable for the specific requirements with characteristics such as low frictional coefficient, high wear resistance and low cost.
For example, demand coatings such as MoS2/Titanium composite coatings is increasing, therefore forming and cutting process can be performed “dry” without use additional lubricants, that is, the oil based lubricants can be eliminated from processes.
The benefits of MoS2/Titanium composite coatings are both ecological and economical. The ecological side is obvious. The economical benefits can be obtained from the elimination of the direct costs of lubricants and the application apparatus, from longer tool life and less tool maintenance, from improved quality of machined parts as well as from the indirect costs of parts cleaning and waste disposal.
Industrial results from forming and cutting processes will be presented and understanding analysis will be performed. Parameters such as life-time, cutting force, surface finishing… will be correlated to laboratory friction and wear tests as well as microstructure observations.