Fabrication and characterization of RF magnetron sputtered composite MoS₂ and ZrN coatings on Ti₃SiC₂ max phase for space applications

¹ National Institute of Technology Srinagar, Kashmir, India
² Tashkent State Transport University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

^* Corresponding author: mfwani@nitsri.ac.in

Abstract

The lubrication effect of solid-based materials has been recognized for centuries, but their use as lubricants dates back to only about 50 years. Solid lubricants are used in applications where parts operate under severe operating conditions such as extreme temperatures and very high vacuum. Solid lubricants replace liquid based lubricants for operation under extreme environmental conditions that are beyond the capability of a liquid-based lubricant such as high or very high vacuum, high and cryogenic temperatures, radiation, corrosive gases, and fretting wear. Applications such as space mechanisms, satellites, space vehicles, turbopumps, nuclear reactors, refrigeration plants, etc are examples of such operating conditions.

In this research, nano scale composite coatings of MoS2with varied proportions of ZrN (5%, 10% and 20%) were deposited on Ti₃SiC₂ Max phase substrate using Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD). The PVD technique used was the RF magnetron sputtering process. Material characterization was carried out using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) Spectroscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Addition of ZrNis observed to reduce the porosity of the self-lubricating MoS₂ coating.