Effect of hydrogen embrittlement on the adhesion strength and wear resistance of DLC-coated 316L stainless steel for application in hydrogen valves of FCEVs

Abstract

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating is a surface coating technology with excellent hydrogen permeation resistance and wear resistance. However, it is difficult to completely prevent hydrogen permeation, and when hydrogen penetrates into the coating layer, the DLC coating is adversely affected. Therefore, we investigated the effect of hydrogen embrittlment on the adhesion strength and wear resistance of the DLC coating layer. As the results of the research, the surface roughness of the DLC coating was increased by a maximum of 3.8 times with hydrogen charging, and the delamination ratio of the DLC coating reached about 58%. In addition, the Lc3, which refers to the adhesion strength corresponding to the complete delamination of the DLC coating, was decreased by a maximum of 2.0 N due to hydrogen permeation. In addition, the wear resistance decreased due to hydrogen permeation, and the exposed width of the substrate due to wear increased by more than 4 times. It was also determined that hydrogen blistering or hydrogen-induced cracking occurred at the interface between the DLC coating and the chromium buffer layer due to hydrogen permeation, which decreased the durability of the DLC coating.