Friction and Wear Properties of MoS2/PFPE Solid-liquid Composite Lubrication System

CANG Yuetian; XING Zhenhua; HAO Hong; WANG Yuchuan; ZHANG Kaifeng; ZHOU Hui

doi:10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2026.15.020

PDF(1530 KB)

Surface Technology ›› 2026, Vol. 55 ›› Issue (15) : 248-255. DOI: 10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2026.15.020

Equipment Surface Engineering

Friction and Wear Properties of MoS₂/PFPE Solid-liquid Composite Lubrication System

CANG Yuetian¹, XING Zhenhua¹, HAO Hong¹, WANG Yuchuan², ZHANG Kaifeng^1,*, ZHOU Hui^1,*

Author information +

History +

Abstract

In order to acquire a solid-liquid composite lubrication method that exhibits outstanding friction and wear properties, a comprehensive investigation is carried out on the MoS₂/PFPE solid-liquid composite lubrication system. Furthermore, a detailed analysis is conducted on its wear and lubricating mechanism, including the actual wear type and lubricating media composition. The friction coefficient of the MoS₂/PFPE solid-liquid composite lubrication system is determined through a ball-disk friction test. The friction coefficient test result is compared with three common lubrication systems, which are MoS₂ solid lubrication, PFPE oil lubrication, and PFPE oil lubrication modified with MoS₂ powder. The test results of the ball-disk friction test show that compared with MoS₂ solid lubrication, the friction coefficient of MoS₂/PFPE solid-liquid composite lubrication, PFPE oil lubrication, and PFPE oil lubrication modified with MoS₂ powder all exhibit an increase. However, the service lives of these three lubrication systems are significantly extended. And the initial friction coefficient of MoS₂/PFPE solid-liquid composite lubrication is the lowest among these three lubrication systems. In order to analyze the wear performance after the friction coefficient test, the wear scar surface of the steel ball is studied through a surface profiler. The wear condition of the steel ball indicates that the wear resistance of the MoS₂/PFPE solid-liquid composite lubrication system is better than that of the other two kinds of oil lubrication. Friction and wear properties of the MoS₂/PFPE solid-liquid composite lubrication system show that it has the best comprehensive tribological performance among all lubrication systems tested. To investigate the wear and lubricating mechanisms of the MoS₂/PFPEsolid-liquid composite lubrication system, various microscopic characterizations are carried out, including SEM, EDS and Laman spectrum. SEM images for the wear scar surface of test rings indicate the wear mechanisms of different lubrication systems. The wear type of MoS₂ solid lubrication is abrasive wear. PFPE oil lubrication and PFPE oil lubrication modified with MoS₂ powder show adhesive wear. The wear mechanism of the MoS₂/PFPE solid-liquid composite lubrication system is the composite mechanism of abrasive wear and adhesive wear. EDS elemental analysis indicates the existence of Mo and S, which means there is a MoS₂ transfer film at the friction interface of the MoS₂/PFPE solid-liquid composite lubrication system. Laman spectrum shows the characteristic absorption of MoS₂, which also verifies the existence of the MoS₂transfer film at the friction interface of the MoS₂/PFPE solid-liquid composite lubrication system. Microscopic characterization results indicate that the lubricating mechanism of the MoS₂/PFPE solid-liquid composite lubrication system is a synergistic lubrication effect of the MoS₂ transfer film and PFPE oil. The existence of the MoS₂ transfer film is the key reason why the MoS₂/PFPE solid-liquid composite lubrication system shows better wear resistance and initial friction coefficient than those of PFPE oil lubrication and PFPE oil lubrication modified with MoS₂ powder. To sum up, the MoS₂/PFPE solid-liquid composite lubrication system can significantly extend the service life of the friction pair, while having relatively low initial friction coefficient and high wear resistance. This excellent comprehensive tribological performance profits from the co-existence of the MoS₂ transfer film and PFPE oil. This article can provide theoretical support and data reference for the design of high-performance and long-life solid-liquid composite lubrication systems.

Key words

MoS₂ / PFPE / solid-liquid composite lubrication / tribological performance / wear mechanism / lubricating mechanism

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

CANG Yuetian, XING Zhenhua, HAO Hong, WANG Yuchuan, ZHANG Kaifeng, ZHOU Hui. Friction and Wear Properties of MoS₂/PFPE Solid-liquid Composite Lubrication System[J]. Surface Technology. 2026, 55(15): 248-255

References

[1] HU H B, SHI X L, WU C H, et al.Recent Advances in Metal Additive Manufacturing from a Tribological Perspective[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2026, 1050: 185613.
[2] HE J L, HE C Y, HE N R, et al.A Novel Solid-Liquid Composite Coating Based on Thermally Sprayed Template: Influence of Lubrication Oil on the Interface Lubrication Behaviors[J]. Surfaces and Interfaces, 2025, 72: 107459.
[3] 杨兴, 王永富, 张俊彦, 等. 轴承滚珠表面二维异质纳米复合涂层制备及固体超润滑研究[J]. 表面技术, 2024, 53(21): 14-22.
YANG X, WANG Y F, ZHANG J Y, et al.Preparation and Solid Superlubricity of Two-Dimensional Nanocomposite Coating on Bearing Ball Surfaces[J]. Surface Technology, 2024, 53(21): 14-22.
[4] 张凯锋, 周晖, 胡继星, 等. 大气环境下溅射MoS_2/Ti膜708C角接触球轴承寿命试验[J]. 轴承, 2014(4): 32-35.
ZHANG K F, ZHOU H, HU J X, et al.Life Test for Angular Contact Ball Bearings 708C with Sputtering MoS₂/Ti Films in Atmospheric Environment[J]. Bearing, 2014(4): 32-35.
[5] GAO X M, FU Y L, JIANG D, et al.Responses of TMDS-Metals Composite Films to Atomic Oxygen Exposure[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2018, 765: 854-861.
[6] 刘昭林, 张占立, 李鸿亮, 等. 真空环境下MoS₂基固体润滑轴承摩擦磨损特性[J]. 机械传动, 2022, 46(11): 95-103.
LIU Z L, ZHANG Z L, LI H L, et al.Friction and Wear Characteristics of MoS₂-Based Solid-Lubricated Bearings in Vacuum Atmosphere[J]. Journal of Mechanical Transmission, 2022, 46(11): 95-103.
[7] 欧阳瑞, 陈文刚, 王海军, 等. 42CrMo合金钢织构表面复合固体润滑剂摩擦学性能研究[J]. 表面技术, 2025, 54(13): 43-50.
OUYANG R, CHEN W G, WANG H J, et al.Tribological Properties of Composite Solid Lubricants for 42CrMo Alloy Steel Texture Surface[J]. Surface Technology, 2025, 54(13): 43-50.
[8] 胡汉军, 贺颖, 张凯锋, 等. 典型低轨辐照环境对MoS_2-Ti薄膜真空摩擦学性能的影响[J]. 真空与低温, 2024, 30(1): 39-47.
HU H J, HE Y, ZHANG K F, et al.Influence of the Typical Low-Orbital Irradiation Environment on the Tribological Performance of MoS₂-Ti Film in Vacuum[J]. Vacuum and Cryogenics, 2024, 30(1): 39-47.
[9] GAO X M, HU M, FU Y L, et al.MoS₂-Au/Au Multilayer Lubrication Film with Better Resistance to Space Environment[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2020, 815: 152483.
[10] 孙繁新, 史彦斌, 蒲吉斌, 等. 苛刻空间环境下固体润滑涂层在谐波齿轮减速器表面的服役性能评价[J]. 中国表面工程, 2023, 36(5): 76-87.
SUN F X, SHI Y B, PU J B, et al.Service Performance Evaluation of Solid-Lubrication Coating on Harmonic Gear Reducer Surface in Harsh Space Environment[J]. China Surface Engineering, 2023, 36(5): 76-87.
[11] 董绍江, 程伟伦, 胡小林, 等. 空间滚动轴承MoS₂薄膜三体接触摩擦分析[J]. 表面技术, 2023, 52(12): 343-350.
DONG S J, CHENG W L, HU X L, et al.Three-Body Contact Friction of MoS₂ Thin Films in Space Rolling Bearings[J]. Surface Technology, 2023, 52(12): 343-350.
[12] 王燕, 伏彦龙, 权鑫, 等. MoS₂/SiCH固液复合润滑体系摩擦学性能研究[J]. 摩擦学学报, 2016, 36(1): 98-103.
WANG Y, FU Y L, QUAN X, et al.Tribological Behaviors of MoS₂/SiCH Film Composite Lubrication System[J]. Tribology, 2016, 36(1): 98-103.
[13] 沈若菲. MoS₂/PAO油固液复合润滑体系的摩擦学性能研究[D]. 上海: 东华大学, 2024.
SHEN R F.Study on Tribological Properties of MoS₂/PAO Oil-Solid-Liquid Composite Lubrication System[D]. Shanghai: Donghua University, 2024.
[14] 徐增闯, 崔维鑫, 贺景坚, 等. 三种固液复合润滑系统的真空边界润滑特性[J]. 中国机械工程, 2021, 32(11): 1293-1298.
XU Z C, CUI W X, HE J J, et al.Vacuum Boundary Lubrication Performances of Three Solid-Liquid Composite Lubrication Systems[J]. China Mechanical Engineering, 2021, 32(11): 1293-1298.
[15] 赵文杰, 曾志翔, 王立平, 等. 高性能润滑材料多烷基环戊烷的研究进展[J]. 润滑与密封, 2012, 37(2): 117-123.
ZHAO W J, ZENG Z X, WANG L P, et al.The Progress of Multiply-Alkylated Cyclopentanes as High Performance Lubricanting Materials[J]. Lubrication Engineering, 2012, 37(2): 117-123.
[16] 姜单单, 辛虎, 李杏涛. 全氟聚醚空间润滑剂[J]. 合成润滑材料, 2021, 48(3): 37-40.
JIANG D D, XIN H, LI X T.Perfluoropolyethers Space Lubricants[J]. Synthetic Lubricants, 2021, 48(3): 37-40.
[17] 张松伟, 胡丽天, 王海忠, 等. 两种含氟空间润滑油的真空摩擦磨损行为研究[J]. 摩擦学学报, 2012, 32(6): 619-625.
ZHANG S W, HU L T, WANG H Z, et al.Tribological Behaviors of Two Kinds of Fluorine-Containing Space Lubricating Oil in Vacuum[J]. Tribology, 2012, 32(6): 619-625.
[18] 徐骏, 朱立坚, 刘刚, 等. DLC-PFPE固液复合润滑体系的摩擦磨损性能研究[J]. 材料导报, 2020, 34(S1): 567-571.
XU J, ZHU L J, LIU G, et al.Research on Friction and Wear Properties of DLC-PFPE Solid-Liquid Composite Lubrication System[J]. Materials Reports, 2020, 34(S1): 567-571.
[19] ZHOU G P, SHAO J W, SHEN L L, et al.Fabrication of Optically Enhanced and Anti-Fingerprint Coatings on Flexible Polymer Substrates via Synergistic Nanostructure and Solid-Liquid Lubrication[J]. Applied Surface Science, 2025, 708: 163720.
[20] LI Y Z, LU C F, GAO K, et al.Enhanced Lubrication Performance of PFPE with TMFS-Modified MoS₂ under High-Temperature Conditions[J]. Applied Surface Science, 2025, 683: 161854.
[21] YAN Z, LIU J, ZHANG X, et al.Tribological Dissimilarity and Solid-Liquid Interaction of WS₂-Al Film Combining with Different Space Oils in Vacuum[J]. Tribology International, 2023, 187: 108691.
[22] ZHANG K F, HUO L X, DUAN J Q, et al.MoS₂ Nanowires as Additives of PFPE for Enhanced Tribological Properties under High Vacuum[J]. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 2021, 156: 110172.
[23] 赵帅可, 苏华. 低速重载风电齿轮箱径向滑动轴承多运行状态润滑性能分析[J]. 西北工业大学学报, 2023, 41(5): 978-986.
ZHAO S K, SU H.Lubrication Analysis of Low-Speed and Heavy-Load Journal Bearing in Wind Turbine Gearbox under Different Operating Conditions[J]. Journal of Northwestern Polytechnical University, 2023, 41(5): 978-986.
[24] 冯兴国, 郑玉刚, 汪科良, 等. 不同摩擦副条件下二硫化钼薄膜的摩擦学性能研究[J]. 真空与低温, 2024, 30(1): 31-38.
FENG X G, ZHENG Y G, WANG K L, et al.Tribological Properties of MoS₂-Ti Films Sliding Against Different Mating Materials in Dry Sliding[J]. Vacuum and Cryogenics, 2024, 30(1): 31-38.
[25] FARID N, GUPTA A, METAXA P, et al.Low Temperature Site-Specific Pulsed Laser Annealing of MoS₂[J]. Small, 2026: e10617.
[26] WASEM KLEIN F, HUNTZINGER J R, ASTIÉ V, et al.Determining by Raman Spectroscopy the Average Thickness AndN-Layer-Specific Surface Coverages of MoS₂ Thin Films with Domains much Smaller than the Laser Spot Size[J]. Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology, 2024, 15: 279-296.
[27] TANG C, LIANG L, ZHU X J, et al.Theoretical and Experimental Raman Study of Molybdenum Disulfide[J]. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 2021, 156: 110154.