APPLICATION OF MOLYBDENUM DISULFIDE FILMS

Abstract : Experiments were conducted in applying a molybdenum disulfide film as lubricant in the vibro-tumbling process. The process was found to improve the microgeometry and mechanical properties of steel roller bearings. The durability of molybdenum disulfide alone was compared to that of a 1 to 1 ratio mixture of molybdenum disulfide and graphite. Friction coefficients were roughly equal at various loadings but film durability ranged from 2 hr 33 min for molybdenum disulfide and 1 hr for molybdenum disulfide plus graphite down to 2 hr and 7 min for molybdenum disulfide and 23.5 for molybdenum disulfide plus graphite. The effect on film duration of rate of application of molybdenum disulfide films and of surface cleanness, and methods of cleaning bearing surfaces, are discussed.