Preparation and characterization of MoS2-TiL/MoS2-TiH nano multilayer coating with excellent wear properties

MoS2-TiL/MoS2-TiH nano multilayer coating was deposited by magnetron sputtering technology with the power of Ti target varying from 50 W to 100 W alternatively. The microstructure, composition, mechanical and tribological behaviors of coatings were investigated. The results showed the multilayer coating had a structure with nanolayer alternately and displayed denser and more compact. The coating was composited of Ti, S, Mo and O with a broad amorphous peak around 2θ range from 10° to 20°. The nanoindentation test illustrated the coating had nanohardness of 6.4 GPa. In contrast to MoS2-TiL monolayer coating, coating hardness didn't get increased, while wear properties got enhanced obviously. The multilayer coating with novel structure possessed lower friction coefficient, longer wear life and narrower wear trace. Overall, the enhancement of wear properties was attributed to the advantages of nano multilayer structure.