The role of silver in self-lubricating coatings for use at extreme temperatures

The advantages and disadvantages of elemental silver as a tribological material are discussed. It is demonstrated that the relatively high melting point of 961 deg C, softness, marked plasticity, and thermochemical stability of silver combine to make this metal useful in thin film solid lubricant coatings over a wide temperature range. Disadvantages of silver during sliding, except when used as a thin film, are shown to be gross ploughing due to plastic deformation under load with associated high friction and excessive transfer to counterface surfaces. This transfer generates an irregular surface topography with consequent undesirable changes in bearing clearance distribution. Research to overcome these disadvantages of element silver is described. A comparison is made of the tribological behavior of pure silver with that of silver formulated with other metals and high-temperature solid lubricants. The composite materials are prepared by co-depositing the powdered components with an airbrush followed by furnace heat treatment or by plasma-spraying. Composite coatings were formulated which are shown to be self-lubricating over repeated, temperature cycles from low temperature to about 900 deg C.