ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS FOR DIAMOND-LIKE CARBON

Although greater scientific interest in recent years has concentrated on diamond than on diamond-like coatings, the real growth in applicati ons has occurred for the latter and their doped or interlayer-modified variants. This is due to their suitability for a wider range of subst rate materials, lower deposition temperature, better surface finish an d ability to coat complex shapes. In particular, the friction and wear properties can be excellent and examples are given of potential and e xisting applications, emphasising their use as engineering coatings. P rocess economics are discussed and the cost benefits identified.