Comparison of structure and tribological properties of MoS2-Ti films deposited by biased-dc and pulsed-dc

A closed field unbalanced magnetron sputter (Teer-CFUBMS/550) system was used for the deposition of MoS2-Ti composite coatings on steel substrate (AISI D2) using biased-dc and pulsed-dc. The tribological properties of MoS2-Ti coatings were characterized by pin-on-disc wear tester under atmospheric conditions. Structural analysis was pointed out using X-ray diffraction and SEM-EDS. The microstructure and chemical composition of MoS2-Ti films are very strongly influenced by the sputtering process conditions. While X-ray diffraction pattern of films deposited using pulsed-dc shows mainly (0 0 2) reflections, the films deposited by dc-bias exhibit random orientation being both (0 0 2) and (1 0 0) reflections. Tribological performance of the films deposited using both techniques were compared in view of both crystallographic orientation and Ti content.