Friction and wear properties of MoS2-based coatings sliding against Cu and Al under electric current

To obtain novel sliding electrical contact materials with good electrical conductivity and wear resistance, Ti/MoS2, Pb/MoS2 and MoS2 coatings were deposited by unbalanced magnetron sputtering system. The results showed that the friction coefficients of the coatings with current (0.5 A) sliding against Cu and Al balls decreased, and the primary cause was that more materials adhered from the coatings to the metal surfaces and the transfer films became denser under the action of the current. Due to the increase in the roughness and strengthening of the abrasive properties on the contact interfaces, the wear rates of the coatings with current were larger than those without current.