STUDIES OF DIAMOND-LIKE CARBON-FILMS PREPARED BY ION-BEAM-ASSISTED DEPOSITION

Ion beam-assisted deposition offers a novel and unique process to prep are diamond-like carbon (DLC) films at room temperature, with particul arly good interface adhesion. This advantage was explored in this stud y to deposit highly wear-resistant coating on bearing 52100 steel. Bot h dual ion beam sputtering and ion beam deposition were employed. Vari ous bombarding species and energy were investigated to optimize the pr ocess. Raman, X-ray photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopy were used to characterize the bonding structure of DLC. Extensive experime nts were carried out to examine,the tribological behaviour of the DLC/ 52100 system. A metal intermediate layer can help tremendously in wear resistance. The results are optimistic and may lead to useful applica tions.