Tribological properties of solid-lubricating coatings on cylinder bore at low temperature

In this study the tribological properties and surface characteristics of solid-lubricating coatings were investigated at low temperatures. Two types of coatings applied to 1045 steel and diesel engine cylinder bore samples were studied as solid-lubricants. Experimental results indicated that ion-plated Mo+ion-sulphuration duplex coating has lower friction and limited wear than that of ion-sulphuration coating. This is particularly evident at low temperatures. Surface characterization of wear scars was conducted using SEM, XPS, and Auger for wear mechanism study. This initial study shows the application potential of solid-lubricating coatings at low temperature environment.