Abrassion by impurities in MoS2 Part 2 — practical tests and the development of a quality control

Abstract

Wear of two types of practical mechanisms, bearings and chains, lubricated by dispersions of molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂) powders in mineral oil has been assessed. A close correlation between wear in the two tests is observed and at light loads all samples of MoS₂ examined results in greater abrasion than clean oil alone. The absence of any general correlation between the abrasiveness of MoS₂ powders in practical tests and their silica (SiO₂) contents, and the severe forms of bearing damage which are observed, reaffirm the need for a method of direct control over the abrasiveness of these materials. Because the practical tests are far too lengthly for this purpose, an accelerated test has been developed to that end.