On the tribological behavior of MoS2-coated thrust ball bearings operating under oscillating motion

Lubrication mechanism of MoS2-coated thrust ball bearings operating over extended time is investigated. The results of extensive set of tests are presented for various loads and oscillation frequencies to assess the friction and wear characteristics as function of time. It is shown that the coating behavior can be described using a debris formation-and-ejection mechanism. The results of microscopic investigations using scanning electron microscope and chemical analysis techniques including energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are presented to validate the findings.