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Effect of substrate surface finish on the lubrication and failure mechanisms of molybdenum disulfide filmsAn optical microscope was used to study the lubrication and failure mechanisms of rubbed (burnished) MoS2 films applied to three substrate surface finishes - polished, sanded, and sandblasted - as a function of sliding distance. The lubrication mechanism was the plastic flow of thin films of MoS2 between flat plateaus on the rider and on the metallic substrate. If the substrate was rough, flat plateaus were created during 'run-in' and the MoS2 flowed across them. Wear life was extended by increasing surface roughness since valleys in the roughened substrate served as reservoirs for MoS2 and a deposit site for wear debris. In moist air, the failure mechanism was the transformation of metallic-colored MoS2 films to a black, powdery material that was found by X-ray diffraction to consist primarily of alpha-iron and MoO3 powders. In dry argon, the failure mechanism was the gradual depletion of the MoS2 film from the contact region by transverse flow. Analysis of the wear debris on the wear track at failure showed it consisted mainly of alpha-iron and some residual MoS2. No molybdenum oxides were found.
Document ID
19810049455
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Fusaro, R. L.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1981
Subject Category
Nonmetallic Materials
Report/Patent Number
ASLE PREPRINT 81-AM-5D-1
Meeting Information
Meeting: Annual Meeting
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Start Date: May 11, 1981
End Date: May 14, 1981
Sponsors: American Society of Lubrication Engineers
Accession Number
81A33859
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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