NANOCOAT

Development of Self-lubricating Nanocomposite Coatings impregnated with in-situ formed MoS2 for Tribological Applications

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Use of self-lubricated coatings in dynamic contacting parts of the system not only reduces complexity, weight, and cost to the system, but also improves the performance to a great extent by reducing friction and wear. Unlike liquid lubricants, the release of various toxic and harmful chemicals to the environment can also be avoided. So, a self-lubricated surface with a long lifetime is a promising one to meet future challenges. The most common solid lubricants are graphite and transition metals layered dichalcogenides, among which MoS2/WS2 has a great prominence. In this proposal, electrodeposition of Co-W alloys impregnated with MoS2 and WC nanoparticles will be carried out to form nanocomposite coatings by a low cost electrodeposition process. The idea is to impart high hardness and mechanical strength by WC particles for wear resistance; and self-lubrication property by MoS2 particles to a Co-W matrix. Firstly, unlike ELECTROLYTIC CO-DEPOSITION from suspensions of MoS2 nanoparticles, here, emphasis will be on the in-situ formation of MoS2 particles in the electrical double layer followed by their incorporation into Co-W alloys during electrolytic reduction process. Secondly, R&D efforts will be directed to co-deposit WC particles from suspensions along with MoS2 to make self-lubricated wear-resistant nanocomposite coatings. The detailed mechanistic study of MoS2 nucleation and growth; the surface and structural characterization of the nanocomposite coatings, wear and friction property and corrosion will be investigated to understand the structure property correlation. Thirdly, the electrodeposition of Co-WWCIF-MoS2 nanocomposite coatings will be carried out from electrolytic suspensions of WC and IF-MoS2 nanoparticles, and the properties will be compared with the former nanocomposites. A special attention will be given on the onset of an implementation of this technology into industrial practice.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Nanocoat, an EU project, has developed new self-lubricating coatings for dynamic parts in contact in a system. The novel surface properties confer lower complexity, weight and cost as well as improved performance by reducing friction and wear.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The multidisciplinary consortium team combined electrochemistry, hydrodynamics, reaction kinetics, co-deposition mechanisms, material science and engineering to form novel coatings based on molybdenum disulphide/tungsten disulphide (MoS2/WS2). The nanocomposite coatings were developed using low-cost electrodeposition of cobalt-tungsten (Co-W) alloys impregnated with MoS2 and tungsten carbide (WC).

Applying the new processes and materials will achieve a high degree of hardness and mechanical strength conferred by the WC particles and self-lubrication from the MoS2 particles in a Co-W matrix. The overall aim of Nanocoat was to develop new coatings that would be viable alternatives to hard chrome. The new coatings have intrinsic self-lubrication properties so do not have to use liquid lubricants, notorious pollutants.

Significant deliverables achieved include thin MoSx coatings containing fullerenes, nanotubes and nano-ribbons on nickel phosphide (NiP) and Co-W substrates by electrodeposition. Simultaneous electrodeposition of Co-W alloy and WC and MoS2 particles formed Co-W-WC nanocomposite coatings. Incorporation of WC particles into the Co-W matrix was found to have a profound influence on wear and corrosion resistance properties and a moderate improvement in hardness.

Further work was planned to further incorporate fullerene-like (IF)-MoS2 into a Co-W matrix which should add to the capacity to lubricate. This will potentially reduce further the coefficient of friction and the wear volume.

Nanocoat has achieved its goal of producing superior coatings for industrial processes that confer improvements in wear, corrosion and friction coefficient. An added bonus is that, unlike liquid lubricants, the release of toxic chemicals to the environment can be avoided.