Tribological Performance of MoS2-Coated 6082-T6 Aluminium: Influence of Laser Texture Density and Pin-on-Disc Test Configuration

Ahuir-Torres, JI ORCID: 0000-0002-3160-0223, Opoz, TT ORCID: 0000-0001-6579-2238, Zhu, G, Bashir, MB and Kotadia, HR ORCID: 0000-0002-3466-4337 (2026) Tribological Performance of MoS2-Coated 6082-T6 Aluminium: Influence of Laser Texture Density and Pin-on-Disc Test Configuration. Tribology Letters, 74 (3). ISSN 1023-8883

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Abstract

The 6082-T6 aluminium alloy is widely used in engineering applications but its broader deployment is restricted by poor wear and friction resistance. Solid lubricants such as molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) can improve its tribological performance; however, their effectiveness is limited by short service life and the need for frequent replenishment. Laser surface texturing (LST) has proven effective in extending lubricant lifespan, yet the influence of tribological system configuration on textured, solid-lubricated aluminium surfaces remains insufficiently understood. In this study, the combined effects of groove texture density (TD) and pin-on-disc configuration on the tribological behaviour of MoS2-coated 6082-T6 aluminium alloy were systematically investigated. Groove patterns with TD values ranging from 25 to 100% were fabricated using an infrared nanosecond pulsed fibre laser, and MoS2 coatings were applied by spraying. Tribological performance was evaluated under dry and lubricated conditions using three configurations: textured pin, textured disc, and both pin and disc textured. Finite element analysis was conducted to examine the influence of surface texturing and groove orientation on compression and ejection normal stresses. Laser surface texturing extended the MoS2 lubricant service life by approximately 2 to 50 times compared with non-textured surfaces, depending on TD and configuration. Increasing TD consistently enhanced lubricant lifespan. Among all configurations, the pin-and-disc system exhibited the longest service life, while the textured pin configuration showed the shortest. Finite element results identified ejection stress as the dominant factor governing lubricant depletion, providing new insight into stress-mediated solid lubrication mechanisms for 6082-T6 aluminium alloy.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	4014 Manufacturing Engineering; 40 Engineering; 0912 Materials Engineering; 0913 Mechanical Engineering; Mechanical Engineering & Transports; 4016 Materials engineering; 4017 Mechanical engineering
Subjects:	T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Divisions:	Engineering and Built Environment
Publisher:	Springer
Date of acceptance:	23 July 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	16 September 2026
Date Deposited:	16 Sep 2026 10:01
Last Modified:	16 Sep 2026 10:01
DOI or ID number:	10.1007/s11249-026-02186-1
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/29447

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