Improvement in load support capability of a-C(Al)-based nanocomposite coatings by multilayer architecture

Tribo-pair dependence of friction and wear moisture sensitivity for a-C:Si:Al carbon-based coating

“…Wilhelmsson et al [22] suggested that the weak-carbide-forming metallic Al incorporated in the coating can create a situation where it was more favorable to form graphitized carbon on the contact surfaces under dry friction. Therefore, the Al incorporated in a-C:Si carbon-based coating has a great potential to favor an increased segregation of carbon at elevated temperatures induced by sliding friction under low relative humidity condition, which has also been confirmed by our previous studies [23][24][25][26]. Therefore, the compactly transferred graphitized tribo-layers on the counterparts can be formed easily, which are mainly responsible for the low friction coefficient and wear rate of a-C:Si:Al coating under low relative humidity conditions in the case of Si 3 N 4 , SiO 2 and GCr15 counterparts.…”

“…Besides, imbedding soft and ductile metallic phase in the hard a-C matrix, such as aluminum, copper or silver which prevents the formation of stable bonds with carbon, can effectively improve the toughness and release the internal stress, especially, it can enhance self-lubricating performances of coatings [19][20][21][22]. As a result, Si and Al co-doped a-C:Si:Al carbonbased coating with improved mechanical properties and tribological moisture sensitivity can be fabricated successfully using multifunctional magnetron sputtering system, which also has been confirmed by our previous works [23][24][25][26][27].…”

Tailoring microstructure and phase segregation for low friction carbon-based nanocomposite coatings

“…Also, the solid solution of WCF Al into the a-C matrix can provide a strong thermodynamic driving force to promote graphitic carbon phase segregation on the contact surface of the coating induced by elevated temperature during sliding friction. 33,34 In this paper, this situation of phase segregation of graphitic carbon will be further validated by theoretical calculations.…”

“…These results are well consistent with other reports and our group's previous works. 30,31,33,34 Furthermore, Raman spectra were acquired from the as-fabricated carbon-based coatings, as shown in Fig. 2.…”

Study of DLC Formation with Ion-Beam Assisted Magnetron Sputtering Deposition

“…DLC thin films have characteristics of high hardness, low friction coefficient, strong wear resistance, and good thermal conductivity [1][2][3][4][5]. Therefore, DLC thin films can be widely used as surface modification materials in mechanical, automotive, medical, and electronic fields [6][7][8][9]. The typical deposition methods of DLC films include ion beam deposition (IBD), unbalanced magnetron sputtering, filtered cathode vacuum arc, and pulsed laser deposition.…”