Tribological Properties of Composite Solid Lubricants for 42CrMo Alloy Steel Texture Surface

OUYANG Rui; CHEN Wengang; WANG Haijun; LI Dongyang; WANG Wen; WANG Yongkang

doi:10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2025.13.004

PDF(7714 KB)

Surface Technology ›› 2025, Vol. 54 ›› Issue (13) : 43-50. DOI: 10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2025.13.004

Friction, Wear and Lubrication

Tribological Properties of Composite Solid Lubricants for 42CrMo Alloy Steel Texture Surface

OUYANG Rui^1,2, CHEN Wengang^1,2*, WANG Haijun^1,2, LI Dongyang^1,2,3, WANG Wen^1,2, WANG Yongkang^1,2

Author information +

History +

Abstract

42CrMo, widely utilized in gears, bearings, connecting rods, and other automotive components, demonstrates significant potential for enhancing wear resistance and friction reduction performance. The work aims to introduce a composite surface modification technique combining laser processing surface weaving technology with solid lubricants to improve friction reduction and wear resistance without altering the base material.
Rectangular blocks of 40 mm × 40 mm × 8 mm were cut from 42CrMo and polished with the sandpaper of varying grits before being cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner. Laser weaving technology was employed to create triangular structures with surface densities of 16%, 26%, and 36% on the specimen surfaces. A viscous composite lubricant, prepared by mixing MoS₂ and epoxy resin E-51 at a 1∶2 volume ratio, was applied with a dust-free cloth and uniformly filled into the microstructures. Excess lubricant was removed by grinding and polishing with the sandpaper, and the blocks were subsequently heated and fixed to prepare friction wear specimens. The composite surface morphology was examined with a metallurgical microscope. Friction and wear experiments were conducted on an MRTR-1 multifunctional tester under dry friction conditions for 20 minutes, with data acquisition at 0.1-second intervals, a load of 20 N, and a rotational speed of 200 r/min. SEM and EDS analyses were performed to examine wear marks and elemental compositions, while stress simulation was used to investigate equivalent stress magnitudes and distributions for different weave densities and friction-wear patterns.
Compared to textured surfaces, composite surfaces with varying texture densities exhibited differing levels of friction reduction. The composite surface with a texture density of 16% demonstrated the most effective friction reduction, achieving a friction coefficient of approximately 0.19 and a friction reduction rate of 77.65%. The friction coefficient increased with fabric density. The peak equivalent stress for the 16% density surface was 3.553 8 MPa, showing an initial increase followed by a decrease as fabric density continued to rise.
Processing surface microstructures and incorporating MoS₂ nanoparticles significantly enhance the tribological properties of 42CrMo alloy steel. Both the microstructures and the MoS₂ nanoparticles contribute to a synergistic lubrication effect. The nanoparticles form a solid lubrication film on the friction surface, while the microstructures capture abrasive debris and store lubricants to replenish the lubrication film when it breaks. This mechanism effectively reduces friction and wear. Additionally, the stored lubricant supplements the broken lubrication film, achieving the dual goals of friction reduction and wear resistance.

Key words

42CrMo alloy steel / laser texture technology / composite lubrication structure / MoS₂ / texture density / tribological property

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

OUYANG Rui, CHEN Wengang, WANG Haijun, LI Dongyang, WANG Wen, WANG Yongkang. Tribological Properties of Composite Solid Lubricants for 42CrMo Alloy Steel Texture Surface[J]. Surface Technology. 2025, 54(13): 43-50 https://doi.org/10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2025.13.004

References

[1] 赵立新, 章宝玲, 刘洋, 等. 基于表面织构技术改善摩擦学性能的研究进展[J]. 摩擦学学报, 2022, 42(1): 202-224.
ZHAO L X, ZHANG B L, LIU Y, et al.State of the Art for Improving Tribological Performance Based on of Surface Texturing Technology[J]. Tribology, 2022, 42(1): 202-224.
[2] VLADESCU S C, OLVER A V, PEGG I G, et al.The Effects of Surface Texture in Reciprocating Contacts-an Experimental Study[J]. Tribology International, 2015, 82: 28-42.
[3] MAO B, SIDDAIAH A, LIAO Y L, et al.Laser Surface Texturing and Related Techniques for Enhancing Tribological Performance of Engineering Materials: A Review[J]. Journal of Manufacturing Processes, 2020, 53: 153-173.
[4] KARMIRIS-OBRATAŃSKI P, ZAGÓRSKI K, PAPAZOGLOU E L, et al. Surface Texture and Integrity of Electrical Discharged Machined Titanium Alloy[J]. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 2021, 115(3): 733-747.
[5] GU H Q, JIAO L, YAN P, et al.Hole Surface Texture Reconstructed with Laser Shock Peening and Effect on Fretting Behavior[J]. Wear, 2022, 494: 204242.
[6] ZHANG K D, LI H S, ZHANG C, et al.Effect of Ion Beam Etching on the Tribological Performance of Laser Textured Co-Cr-Mo Alloy[J]. Optics & Laser Technology, 2023, 160: 109097.
[7] HONG Y, ZHANG P, LEE K H, et al.Friction and Wear of Textured Surfaces Produced by 3D Printing[J]. Science China Technological Sciences, 2017, 60(9): 1400-1406.
[8] CHEN Z, LIU Y H, GUNSEL S, et al.Mechanism of Antiwear Property under High Pressure of Synthetic Oil-Soluble Ultrathin MoS₂ Sheets as Lubricant Additives[J]. Langmuir, 2018, 34(4): 1635-1644.
[9] XIE H M, JIANG B, DAI J H, et al.Tribological Behaviors of Graphene and Graphene Oxide as Water-Based Lubricant Additives for Magnesium Alloy/Steel Contacts[J]. Materials, 2018, 11(2): 206.
[10] ALDANA P U, DASSENOY F, VACHER B, et al.WS₂ Nanoparticles Anti-Wear and Friction Reducing Properties on Rough Surfaces in the Presence of ZDDP Additive[J]. Tribology International, 2016, 102: 213-221.
[11] 刘怡飞, 刘超林, 李助军, 等. 六方氮化硼负载纳米铜润滑添加剂的制备及其摩擦学性能研究[J]. 润滑与密封, 2022, 47(2): 122-128.
LIU Y F, LIU C L, LI Z J, et al.Preparation and Tribological Properties of H-BN Dotted with Cu Nanoparticles as Lubricant Additive[J]. Lubrication Engineering, 2022, 47(2): 122-128.
[12] 郭青. 二硫化钼固体润滑性能及其应用[J]. 精密制造与自动化, 2007(3): 26-29.
GUO Q.Performance and Application of MoS₂ Solid Lubricants[J]. Precise Manufacturing & Automation, 2007(3): 26-29.
[13] 尹延国, 姚巍, 俞建卫, 等. 环氧树脂黏接润滑涂层摩擦学特性[J]. 高分子材料科学与工程, 2011, 27(9): 80-83.
YIN Y G, YAO W, YU J W, et al.Tribological Properties of Epoxy Adhesive Lubricating Coating[J]. Polymer Materials Science & Engineering, 2011, 27(9): 80-83.
[14] WU Z, DENG J X, ZHANG H, et al.Tribological Behavior of Textured Cemented Carbide Filled with Solid Lubricants in Dry Sliding with Titanium Alloys[J]. Wear, 2012, 292: 135-143.
[15] DENG J X, SONG W L, ZHANG H, et al.Friction and Wear Behaviors of the Carbide Tools Embedded with Solid Lubricants in Sliding Wear Tests and in Dry Cutting Processes[J]. Wear, 2011, 270(9/10): 666-674.
[16] YAN H, CHEN Z F, ZHAO J, et al.Enhancing Tribological Properties of WS₂/NbC/Co-Based Self- Lubricating Coating via Laser Texturing and Laser Cladding Two-Step Process[J]. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 2020, 9(5): 9907-9919.
[17] KROMER R, COSTIL S, VERDY C, et al.Laser Surface Texturing to Enhance Adhesion Bond Strength of Spray Coatings-Cold Spraying, Wire-Arc Spraying, and Atmospheric Plasma Spraying[J]. Surface and Coatings Technology, 2018, 352: 642-653.
[18] KOVAC H, SEÇER Y. Improved Tribological Performance of AISI 316L Stainless Steel by a Combined Surface Treatment: Surface Texturing by Selective Laser Melting and Plasma Nitriding[J]. Surface and Coatings Technology, 2020, 400: 126178.
[19] 王睿哲, 朱丽娜, 岳文, 等. 激光表面织构化与固体润滑技术复合处理改善表面摩擦学性能的研究现状[J]. 材料保护, 2019, 52(10): 110-115.
WANG R Z, ZHU L N, YUE W, et al.Research Status of Compound Treatment of Laser Surface Texturing and Solid Lubrication Technology to Improve Surface Tribological Properties[J]. Materials Protection, 2019, 52(10): 110-115.
[20] 华希俊, 朱翊航, 王皓, 等. GCr15钢微织构表面固体润滑性能研究[J]. 润滑与密封, 2020, 45(9): 12-17.
HUA X J, ZHU Y H, WANG H, et al.Research on Solid Lubrication Properties of Micro-Textured GCr15 Steel[J]. Lubrication Engineering, 2020, 45(9): 12-17.
[21] HU T C, ZHANG Y S, HU L T.Tribological Investigation of MoS₂ Coatings Deposited on the Laser Textured Surface[J]. Wear, 2012, 278: 77-82.
[22] ZHANG D Y, GAO F, WEI X, et al.Fabrication of Textured Composite Surface and Its Tribological Properties under Starved Lubrication and Dry Sliding Conditions[J]. Surface and Coatings Technology, 2018, 350: 313-322.

Funding

Yunnan Provincial Department of Education General Project (2022J0499); Academician Dongyang Li Workstation of Yunnan Province (202305AF150019); National Natural Science Foundation of China (51865053)