Effect of squeeze motion on the tribo-performances of molybdenum disulfide powder lubricated textured cemented carbide specimens

Purpose This study aims to improve the lubrication performance of molybdenum disulfide powders at textured surface of cemented carbide materials, a squeeze motion of vibration assistance method was introduced and investigated. Design/methodology/approach Surface texture was fabricated on YT15 cemented carbide samples using a laser marking machine. After that, a tribological experiment was carried out on a self-built friction testing machine under different amplitude and frequency of squeeze motion conditions. Moreover, a simulation model was also established to verify the principle of squeeze motion on the lubrication performance improving of MoS 2 particles at textured interfaces. Findings Analysis results indicated that surface texture on test sample can increase the storage ability of solid lubrication particles, and the lubrication film at the contact interface is more easily formed due to the reciprocating action. Squeeze motion can improve the storage ability of it due to an intermittent contact, which provides an opportunity for MoS 2 particles infiltration, and then a more uniform distribution and load-bearing properties of force chain are also established and formed simultaneously. Thus, a better tribological performance at the contact interface is obtained. Originality/value The main contribution of this work is to provide a reference for the molybdenum disulfide powder lubrication with textured surface of cemented carbide materials. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-05-2024-0166/