Reduced sliding friction on flat and microstructured metal injection molded (MIM) WC-Co hard metals with MoS2 composite lubricants

Surface texturing with lubricant mixtures was studied by dynamic coefficient of friction (COF) values on micropit and micropillar WC-Co hard metal specimens that were fabricated using a micro-working robot technique combined with metal injection molding (MIM). Lubricating grease mixed with MoS2 was investigated, and 40 wt% additive level of MoS2 reduced COF values by 45% down to 0.06 level on flat WC-Co specimens. The corresponding COF values for the micropit specimens were higher up to 0.10 that may result from the small contact area of the used pin. On the contrary, a reduction of COF values was observed for micropillar specimens compared to the flat WC-Co specimens induced by a load carrying structure of the micropillar specimen. A highly stable antiwear behavior was observed for specimens with micropits.