Improving the synthesis process of tribological materials based on tin sulphides by adding graphite as additive

Abstract

The aim of this research was to study the effect of graphite addition in the process of synthesis of tribological materials based on tin sulphides. The tin sulphides powders were synthesized from selected precursors by pyrometallurgical method in rotary tilting tube furnace. The thermodynamic parameters of the synthesis were determined using HSC Chemistry software modelling package. In addition, the synthesis process was also characterized by the thermal analysis method: simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry (DCS-TGA). The characterization of the synthesized tin sulphides powders included analysis of chemical composition by optical emission spectroscopy, phase composition identification by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and examination of morphology, as well as elemental composition by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The hexagonal SnS2 and orthorhombic Sn2S3 phases were formed after the thermal treatment of starting powders in nitrogen atmosphere. The obtained results indicate the positive effects of the graphite addition which enables the synthesis of tin sulphide powders with appropriate content of sulphide phases with minimal loss of sulphur.