Dry Film Lubricant Coatings

Dry Film Lubricant Coatings Ti-MoS2/Cr-MoS2

Dry Film Lubricant Coatings, also known as Solid Film Lubricant Coatings, or Low Friction coatings have an extremely low coefficient of friction-0.04, making them ideal for applications that need extended wear resistance, have marginal, or no lubrication options. The coatings are based on Molybdenum Disulfide (a widely used lubricant) and applied using a Magnetron Sputtering Physical Vapor Deposition process. Like other PVD coatings they have excellent adhesion, and wear resistance.

Dry Film Lubricant Structures and Properties

These coatings have a unique structure of Titanium or Chrome to improve hardness and thermal stability, in conjunction with amorphous Molybdenum Disulfide. During sliding or rolling applications, a transfer from the coating to the mating surface occurs. This transfer creates a perpetual low friction surface. These coatings unparalleled resistance to fretting, galling, and sliding wear.

Dry Film Lubricant Coating Options:

Dry Film Lubricant Characteristics:

• Extremely Low coefficient of friction (as low as 0.04).
• Excellent adhesion and load bearing capability (ASTM C1624 Lc> 200N).
• Excellent surface finish will mirror that of the substrate.
• Self-lubrication in dry wear conditions.
• High hardness 700-1000 HV.
• Excellent release properties for resistance to galling, fretting, and sticking.
• Thermal stability up to 500°C.

Dry Film Application Method:

• Magnetron Sputtering Physical Vapor Deposition (MSPVD).

MSPVD Size Capabilities:

• MSPVD systems have a 3,000 lb. weight limit and can accommodate parts 30″ in diameter and 40″ tall.

Dry Film Lubricant Common Applications:

• Ti-MoS2- Low friction and wear at higher temps.
• Cr-MoS2- Low friction and wear, for use against copper alloys.
• Aero/Space components.
• Hydraulic components – cylinders, pistons, gear pumps.
• Valve components – balls, gates, seats, actuators, housings.
• Automotive components – crank shafts, cam shafts, gears, bearings, piston rings, tappets, wrist pins, fuel injectors.
• Pump components – impellers, diffusers, rotors.
• Metal forming dies for galling resistance and release.
• Plastic molding and extrusion components for abrasion resistance and release.
• Tools for metal forming and blanking.
• Plastic molds and extrusion components for abrasion and corrosion resistance.
• Mechanical seals.
• Large stamping, forging, die-casting, plastics, rubber, extrusion and cutting tools and machinery.

CeraTough™ Performance

The performance of our CeraTough™ MSPVD coatings deposited using our proprietary High Energy PVD process is superior to many other commercially available coatings in the most demanding heavy-duty applications.

Cera Tough-0607 Titanium-Molybdenum Disulfide (TiMoS2)

• Hybrid Radio-Frequency and Magnetron Sputtering PVD (MSPVD)
• Chamber supports 30˝diameter, 40˝ height and up to 3000 lbs.
• Multi-axis table rotation for uniform coatings on complex shapes
• Ultra-low process temperature (<200°C)
• Can apply coatings to almost any material, including polymers

Coating Properties

Thickness	1-2 μm
Hardness	6-7 GPa
Method	MSPVD
Color	Grey

HRC indentation test (VDI 3198) shows excellent TiMoS2 adhesion with no delamination, for a rank of “HF1”. Substrate is hardened 52100 steel.

Friction Moisture Dependence

Reciprocating CoF tests were performed per ASTM G133 with the following parameters:

Flat	52100 steel with TiMoS2 coating
Ball	52100 steel, 6mm dia
Force	2N (0.8 GPa, contact stress)
Stroke	10mm, 4.8 Hz
Duration	2500 s (240m sliding distance)
Environment	RT and 100C, 40% RH
Lubrication	None

Coating	Temp (C)	Ave. CoF
TiMoS2	RT	0.073
	100	0.043

It is well known that pure MoS2 experiences relatively high friction (>0.2) and rapid wear in humid environments. TiMoS2 is much less susceptible to humidity and reaches COF as low as 0.04 in “dry” conditions (represented here as 100c).

Friction Load Dependence

Another test was performed at RT (40% RH) in which the applied force increased from 1 to 20 N over the course of 1000 s, then returned to 1 N over another 1000 s. All other parameters were the same.

• Pure MoS2 displays a load dependance, where friction and wear decrease with increasing stress.
• TiMoS2 shares this beneficial property, with average friction decreasing from ~0.065 to ~0.047 over 1-> 20 N loading.