Characterization of thermally evaporated MoS2 thin film coatings

Abstract

Tool steel is extensively used in metal cutting and forming operations. Its surface properties such as wear resistance and hardness can be improved by various surface modification methods. Conventional thermo chemical surface modification methods like carburizing, nitriding and boroding will not be able to provide the intensive energy source necessary to modify surface structure without disturbing microstructure and properties of core. One of the promising methods to improve wear resistance is thermal evaporation of Molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) powder on tool steel substrates. The metallographic study and chemical composition analysis of thermally evaporated MoS2 coated thin films were conducted using scanning electron microscope integrated with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The samples were observed using the scanning electron microscope while the EDX detector was used to collect composition data from the sample. The adhesion of thin film with substrate is evaluated by conducting a film substrate adherence test. A low friction, wear resistant and well adherent thin film of molybdenum disulphide is successfully deposited on tool steel substrates by thermal evaporation technique and characterized.