Abstract
The aim of this study is to fabricate the nanocomposite with low friction and high wear resistance using binary solid lubricant particles. The microstructure and tribological performance of the nanocomposite are evaluated, and the composition and film thickness of the lubricating film are observed and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The nanocomposite exhibited improved tribological properties with a friction coefficient as low as 0.12 and a low wear rate of 2.17 × 10−6 mm3/(N·m) in high-purity nitrogen atmosphere. Decreasing sliding speed can increase lubricating film thickness, and the thickest lubricating film is approximately 125 nm. As the film thickness of the lubricating film exceeded 90 nm, the friction coefficient curves became smooth. In compared with WS2, MoS2 can be more effective in forming the transfer layer on the worn surfaces at the initial stage of the tribological process.
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The authors would like to thank National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51674304) for the financial support provided.
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Xiao KANG. He obtained his bachelor and M.S. degrees in 2012 and 2015 from Central South University, China, majoring in mineral process engineering. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. degree in State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy at the same university. His interested research areas include metal matrix selflubricating nanocomposites, powder metallurgy, and wear-resistance alloys.
Shuang YU. She received her bachelor degree in mechanical and electrical engineering in 2005 from Harbin University of Science and Technology, China. Then, she received her Ph.D. degree in mechanical and electrical engineering in 2009 from Shanghai Jiaotong University. At the same year, she joined the Shanghai Institute of Astronautical Systems Engineering. Her current position is a senior engineer. Her research areas include tribology of space mechanisms.
Hailin YANG. He received his M.S. degree from Hefei University of Technology in 1999 and Ph.D. degree from Central South University in 2010, majoring in material science. He joined the State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy from 2011. His current position is an associate professor of Central South University. His research areas cover powder metallurgy based new materials and advanced microstructural characterization.
Yang SUN. He received his bachelor degree in mining engineering in 2016 from Central South University, China. After then, he is currently pursuing his Ph.D. degree in State Key Laboratory for Powder Metallurgy at the same university. His research interests include the sliding electrical contact system and self-assembly of the 2 dimensional (2D) particles by freeze casting.
Lei ZHANG. He is a professor of the State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, China. He got the materials science Ph.D. degree from Central South University in 2006. His research areas include the design and manufacturing of powder metallurgy materials, the space tribology of sliding ectctrical contacts, and the friction and wear regulating of metal-based nanocomposites.
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Kang, X., Yu, S., Yang, H. et al. Tribological behavior and microstructural evolution of lubricating film of silver matrix self-lubricating nanocomposite. Friction 9, 941–951 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-020-0379-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-020-0379-y