Abstract: A method is provided to form a lead Chevrel phase coating of the formula PbMo.sub.6 S.sub.8 on a substrate by employing the techniques of reactive sputtering comprising: (a) sputtering lead (Pb) and molybdenum (Mo) from homogeneous targets of Pb and Mo in vacuo in an atmosphere of argon and hydrogen sulfide so as to deposit a coating of PbMo.sub.6 S.sub.8 on said substrate; and (b) annealing said PbMo.sub.6 S.sub.8 coating at a pressure at which Pb is not lost from the coating; wherein the targets and the substrate are contained within a vacuum chamber during steps (a) and (b).

Abstract: A method is provided to form a basal oriented coating of molybdenum sulfide of the formula MoS.sub.2 on a substrate by employing the techniques of reactive sputtering comprising: (a)(i) sputtering lead (Pb) and molybdenum (Mo) from homogeneous targets of Pb and Mo in vacuo in an atmosphere of argon and hydrogen sulfide or (ii) sputtering Pb and MoS.sub.2 from homogeneous targets of Pb and MoS.sub.2 in an atmosphere of argon (no H.sub.2 S), so as to deposit a coating comprising of Pb, S and Mo on said substrate; and (b) annealing said coating at a pressure at which the Pb is lost from the coating; wherein the targets and the substrate are contained within a vacuum chamber during steps (a) and (b).