Composition, properties and surface structure of tribochemically deposited coatings

Abstract: Five tribochemically deposited coatings on honed cast iron cylinder liner segments has been studied with respect to surface properties, material composition, coating thickness, hardness and friction. Methods like Light Optical Microscopy (LOM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), 3D topography using white light interferometry (VSI) and Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA) were used to study the surface, coating thickness and material composition. Lubrication regimes (friction) were studied using a test set-up in a Lathe. An in-situ scratcher and nano indenter were used to study the hardness. It was found that the honing plateau surface is smoothened by the coating process while the honing scratches are kept more or less intact. The deposited coating thickness is approximately 10-100 nm. The coating is softer than the substrate and shows a butter-like behavior when scratched. Using only sulfur additive in the process fluid gives a smooth surface and an evenly distributed coating. Tungsten additive in the process fluid gives a thicker coating but a more irregular material distribution. Tungsten additive in the process fluid does not seem to stimulate the formation of WS2, but rather WO3 is formed.