Tribological behaviour and wear mechanism of MoS2–Cr coatings sliding against various counterbody

MoS2–Cr coatings with different Cr contents have been deposited on high speed steel substrates by closed field unbalanced magnetron (CFUBM) sputtering. The tribological properties of the coatings have been tested against different counterbodies under dry conditions using an oscillating friction and wear tester. The coating microstructures, mechanical properties and wear resistance vary according to the Cr metal-content. MoS2 tribological properties are improved with a Cr metal dopant in the MoS2 matrix. The optimum Cr content varies with different counterbodies. Showing especially good tribological properties were MoS2–Cr8% coating sliding against either AISI 1045 steel or AA 6061 aluminum alloy, and MoS2–Cr5% coating sliding against bronze. Enhanced tribological behavior included low wear depth on coating, low wear width on counterbody, low friction coefficients and long durability.