REVIEW OF THE TRIBOLOGY OF DIAMOND-LIKE CARBON

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films are characterized by very low friction coefficients, high wear resistance and high corrosion resistance. Dep ending upon the testing environment, the coefficient of friction can b e as low as 0.01. As-deposited films are wear resistant in vacuum as w ell as in atmospheric ambient. However, the tribological properties of DLC are strongly affected by the deposition method. This paper review s the friction and wear properties of DLC, and of similar materials de rived from DLC, as a function of the preparation method and testing en vironment. Mechanisms proposed to explain the tribological properties are presented and discussed.