Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 4254-4268 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids |
| Volume | 42 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Early online date | 30 Jan 2026 |
| Publication status | Published - 10 Feb 2026 |
Abstract
Implant materials and industrial components often face limitations due to wear and surface degradation, prompting the need for advanced materials with enhanced durability. This study investigates the development of 316L stainless steel metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanoparticles (1, 3, and 5 wt %) fabricated via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) to address these challenges. The incorporation of WS2 leads to substantial microstructural refinement, transitioning the morphology to a finer, more equiaxed grain structure. While the 5 wt % WS2 composites exhibit the highest surface roughness (1 μm), they also achieve superior mechanical properties, including the highest cross-sectional microhardness (254 HV) and a notable reduction in the hardness anisotropy between the top surface and the cross section. The tribological assessment under dry oscillating conditions reveals an exceptional efficacy of the 5 wt % WS2 MMC. Compared to pure 316L, it demonstrates a 21% reduction in volumetric wear rate at 25 °C and a remarkable 44% reduction at 37 °C despite a higher coefficient of friction. Analysis of the underlying wear mechanisms indicates that the superior performance is attributable to a synergistic effect. The hardened subsurface resists plastic deformation, while the WS2 nanoparticles form a protective tribofilm, reducing metal-to-metal contact. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the tribochemical formation of a WS2-rich lubricious film at 25 °C and its evolution into a more complex, oxide-dominated protective layer at 37 °C, governing the transition to a tribofilm-controlled wear regime. The results underscore the potential of LPBF-fabricated WS2/316L nanocomposites for creating high-performance, durable components for biomedical implants and industrial applications operating under demanding conditions.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Materials Science(all)
- General Materials Science
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- Surfaces and Interfaces
- Chemistry(all)
- Spectroscopy
- Chemistry(all)
- Electrochemistry
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In: Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids, Vol. 42, No. 5, 10.02.2026, p. 4254-4268.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Laser Powder Bed Fusion of WS2/316L Stainless Steel Nanocomposites for an Enhanced Mechanical and Tribological Performance
AU - Ramteke, Sangharatna M.
AU - Dwivedi, Suryank
AU - Ramos-Grez, Jorge
AU - Zambrano, Dario F.
AU - Rosenkranz, Andreas
AU - Marian, Max
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2026 American Chemical Society
PY - 2026/2/10
Y1 - 2026/2/10
N2 - Implant materials and industrial components often face limitations due to wear and surface degradation, prompting the need for advanced materials with enhanced durability. This study investigates the development of 316L stainless steel metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanoparticles (1, 3, and 5 wt %) fabricated via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) to address these challenges. The incorporation of WS2 leads to substantial microstructural refinement, transitioning the morphology to a finer, more equiaxed grain structure. While the 5 wt % WS2 composites exhibit the highest surface roughness (1 μm), they also achieve superior mechanical properties, including the highest cross-sectional microhardness (254 HV) and a notable reduction in the hardness anisotropy between the top surface and the cross section. The tribological assessment under dry oscillating conditions reveals an exceptional efficacy of the 5 wt % WS2 MMC. Compared to pure 316L, it demonstrates a 21% reduction in volumetric wear rate at 25 °C and a remarkable 44% reduction at 37 °C despite a higher coefficient of friction. Analysis of the underlying wear mechanisms indicates that the superior performance is attributable to a synergistic effect. The hardened subsurface resists plastic deformation, while the WS2 nanoparticles form a protective tribofilm, reducing metal-to-metal contact. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the tribochemical formation of a WS2-rich lubricious film at 25 °C and its evolution into a more complex, oxide-dominated protective layer at 37 °C, governing the transition to a tribofilm-controlled wear regime. The results underscore the potential of LPBF-fabricated WS2/316L nanocomposites for creating high-performance, durable components for biomedical implants and industrial applications operating under demanding conditions.
AB - Implant materials and industrial components often face limitations due to wear and surface degradation, prompting the need for advanced materials with enhanced durability. This study investigates the development of 316L stainless steel metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanoparticles (1, 3, and 5 wt %) fabricated via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) to address these challenges. The incorporation of WS2 leads to substantial microstructural refinement, transitioning the morphology to a finer, more equiaxed grain structure. While the 5 wt % WS2 composites exhibit the highest surface roughness (1 μm), they also achieve superior mechanical properties, including the highest cross-sectional microhardness (254 HV) and a notable reduction in the hardness anisotropy between the top surface and the cross section. The tribological assessment under dry oscillating conditions reveals an exceptional efficacy of the 5 wt % WS2 MMC. Compared to pure 316L, it demonstrates a 21% reduction in volumetric wear rate at 25 °C and a remarkable 44% reduction at 37 °C despite a higher coefficient of friction. Analysis of the underlying wear mechanisms indicates that the superior performance is attributable to a synergistic effect. The hardened subsurface resists plastic deformation, while the WS2 nanoparticles form a protective tribofilm, reducing metal-to-metal contact. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the tribochemical formation of a WS2-rich lubricious film at 25 °C and its evolution into a more complex, oxide-dominated protective layer at 37 °C, governing the transition to a tribofilm-controlled wear regime. The results underscore the potential of LPBF-fabricated WS2/316L nanocomposites for creating high-performance, durable components for biomedical implants and industrial applications operating under demanding conditions.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105029881828&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c06298
DO - 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c06298
M3 - Article
C2 - 41614547
AN - SCOPUS:105029881828
VL - 42
SP - 4254
EP - 4268
JO - Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids
JF - Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids
SN - 0743-7463
IS - 5
ER -