The Effect of FeS Solid Lubricant on the Tribological Properties of Bearing Steel under Grease Lubrication

In order to improve the tribological properties of 52100 steel under grease lubrication, FeS solid lubricant was used in two ways. Low-temperature ion-sulfurization technology was utilized to prepare solid lubricant iron sulfide (FeS) films on the surface of 52100 steel, and FeS particles were mixed into the lithium grease as additive. The friction and wear properties were examined systematically on a “ball-on-disc” testing machine. The results showed that the tribological properties of bearing steel under grease lubrication can be improved either by using ion-sulfurization technique or by adding FeS microparticles into the grease. The tribological performance of sulfurized surface lubricated by grease is better than that of a plain surface lubricated by grease containing FeS microparticles at lower load and speed. The plain surface lubricated by the grease containing FeS micropaticles possesses better antiwear property under harsher conditions. The mechanism of the experimental results is discussed in detail.