Frictional behavior and wear mechanisms of Ag/MoS2/WS2 composite under reciprocating microscale sliding

Silver matrix composites are known for their low friction coefficient and high wear resistance, making them promising for various practical applications. In this study, we investigate the frictional behavior and wear mechanisms of Ag/MoS2/WS2 composite using a nano-scratcher, SEM, 3D profilometer, and XPS. The wear mechanisms under different loads and sliding distances were investigated by scuffing tests, and the results showed that the incorporation of MoS2 and WS2 improved the friction reduction performance of the composites. The friction coefficient decreases from 0.32 to 0.14 under a normal load of 400 mN and a sliding distance of 1000 cycles. The wear mechanism changes from scratch wear to scratch/fatigue wear with increasing load and number of cycles. The friction model proposed explains the mechanism of the composite and determines the adhesion and plowing components of the friction coefficient. The self-lubricating mechanism of the composite is effective in reducing the plowing component of the friction coefficient. This study provides valuable insights into the microscopic frictional behavior and wears mechanisms of Ag/MoS2/WS2 composites and lays a foundation for their practical application in microscopic reciprocal sliding friction processes.