On the Microstructural, Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Mo-Se-C Coatings and Their Potential for Friction Reduction against Rubber

Friction and wear contribute to high energetic losses that reduce the efficiency of mechanical systems. However, carbon alloyed transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD-C) coatings possess low friction coefficients in diverse environments and can self-adapt to various sliding conditions. Hence, in this investigation, a semi-industrial magnetron sputtering device, operated in direct current mode (DC), is utilized to deposit several molybdenum-selenium-carbon (Mo-Se-C) coatings with a carbon content up to 60 atomic % (at. %). Then, the carbon content influence on the final properties of the films is analysed using several structural, mechanical and tribological characterization techniques. With an increasing carbon content in the Mo-Se-C films, lower Se/Mo ratio, porosity and roughness appeared, while the hardness and compactness increased. Pin-on-disk (POD) experiments performed in humid air disclosed that the Mo-Se-C vs. nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) friction is higher than Mo-Se-C vs. steel friction, and the coefficient of friction (CoF) is higher at 25 °C than at 200 °C, for both steel and NBR countersurfaces. In terms of wear, the Mo-Se-C coatings with 51 at. % C showed the lowest specific wear rates of all carbon content films when sliding against steel. The study shows the potential of TMD-based coatings for friction and wear reduction sliding against rubber.