Hardness measures a material’s resistance to deformation. For WS₂, its hardness is relatively low due to its layered structure, typically ranging from 20-30 HV (Vickers hardness) or 1-2 on the Mohs scale for bulk material. This softness is intrinsic to transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), where strong W-S covalent bonds within layers contrast with weak van der Waals forces between them, allowing easy interlayer sliding.
The low hardness reflects WS₂’s role as a lubricant rather than a structural material. Vickers hardness tests (e.g., 10-50 g load) on bulk WS₂ yield values around 25 HV, far below metals like steel (~200 HV) or ceramics like alumina (~1500 HV). Nanoindentation on WS₂ thin films or single layers reports even lower values (10-20 GPa Young’s modulus), as the material yields under pressure by shearing layers. Compared to MoS₂ (~20-25 HV), WS₂’s hardness is similar, though slight differences arise from tungsten’s higher atomic mass.
Hardness varies with form: bulk WS₂ is softer than nanostructured forms like fullerene-like WS₂ particles, which exhibit higher resistance (up to 50 HV) due to curvature-induced strengthening. Synthesis method also matters—hydrothermal WS₂ may contain defects reducing hardness, while annealed samples are more uniform. Temperature affects hardness minimally below 510°C in air; above this, oxidation to WO₃ increases hardness (~500 HV) but alters the material entirely.
This low hardness enables WS₂’s lubricity, as it deforms to fill surface asperities, reducing friction. However, it limits standalone mechanical applications, favoring its use in coatings or composites where substrates provide strength. Hardness testing requires care, as WS₂’s softness can lead to substrate effects in thin films.
Customized tungsten disulfide
If you are interested in purchasing or customizing tungsten disulfide, and want to know its detailed information, market conditions, and latest prices, please contact China Tungsten Intelligent Manufacturing Technology Co., Ltd.. For more information and product information about tungsten disulfide, please visit our professional tungsten disulfide website for detailed introduction.
Customized tungsten products
China Tungsten Intelligent Manufacturing Technology Co., Ltd. and its parent company have been working in the tungsten and molybdenum products industry for nearly 30 years, specializing in flexible customization of tungsten and molybdenum products worldwide. China Tungsten Intelligent Manufacturing Technology Co., Ltd. can customize and process tungsten and molybdenum products of various specifications, performances, sizes, and grades according to customer needs.
Latest preferential prices for tungsten products
The WeChat public account “China Tungsten Online” updates the prices of various tungstates such as tungstates such as tungstate powder, ammonium tungstate, tungsten products, high-density tungsten alloys, cemented carbides, tungsten concentrates, etc. on a daily basis. At the same time, it provides the most professional WeChat group in the industry for everyone to exchange supply and demand information, and you can exchange information about tungsten powder at any time. Follow “China Tungsten Online” and join the China Tungsten Online WeChat exchange group. Daily tungsten product prices and supply and demand information will be delivered in a timely manner, and real-time communication will be carried out. For more tungsten product market trends, products and information, please follow the “China Tungsten Online” WeChat public account, or visit http://news.chinatungsten.com to obtain daily updated information.
Contact information: sales@chinatungsten.com
Tel: +86 592 5129696 / 86 592 5129595
Scan the QR code to follow the “China Tungsten Online” WeChat public account and get real-time updated tungsten, molybdenum and rare earth product market prices and information for free every morning.
