Abstract
The $WS_2$ solid lubricant synthesized through the vapour phase transport method was coated on the commercial bearing steel (SUJ 2) substrate, and the tribological behaviour of the lubricant was investigated using a ball-on-disk type tester. The $WS_2$ powder was spray-coated at room temperature using compressed air, and the change of friction coefficient was examined in various conditions, i.e., specimen configuration, atmosphere (air and nitrogen), applied load and rotating speed. $WS_2$ coated ball and disk showed the optimum friction coefficient of 0.07 and wear life of 45,000 cycles in the nitrogen atmosphere under 0.3 kgf and 100 rpm, whereas relatively high coefficient of 0.13 and reduced wear life of 4,000 cycles were observed in air atmosphere. The effect of rotating speed on the friction coefficient was not observed both in nitrogen and in air atmospheres. This confirmed that the spray-coated $WS_2$ solid lubricant was effective in reducing the friction coefficient and improving wear life in nitrogen atmosphere, and the oxygen and moisture existing in air could seriously deteriorate the lubrication effect of $WS_2$ coating layer.
